9 Comments

I nod my head to your writing like I’m sitting in a pew: “Preach!”

Two asides —

1. I was fortunate to see Tom a week before he died at the Greek in Berkeley. All those songs. All that power on the stage was with him right up until that cliff.

2. When my son gets impatient (he’s 3 so that’s multiple times per day) I’ve begun to teach him a way to vocalize it, name it, in order to store it properly. He gets antsy and I ask, “What does Tom Petty say?” His high-pitched reply, “waiting is the hardest part”

Expand full comment

That cannot be true! No! For really real?!?!

Expand full comment

Yes. All true. It happened earlier tonight when I was asking him to stand idle while I finished something in the garden. Without thought, wrapping up a hose or something, I said it and he sort of grumbled back. It’s new. He doesn’t understand where it comes from yet. But, like he now asks for Harry Nilsson (gotta get up) or Elton John (Benny and the Jets) to play in the car, he will.

Expand full comment

That’s an insightful child. You’re doing something right.

Expand full comment

Thanks for this, and I love this song. His voice was heard all through my childhood, many fond memories with his music.

Expand full comment

It was my pleasure

Expand full comment

His word is gospel here in northern Florida.

Expand full comment

As intended!

Expand full comment

Tom Petty was one of those rare people whose songs evolved the further down the road I get. It's amazing how the same lyrics can mean different things at different stages of life. There's also no better feeling than going down the road with no particular place to go. Road trips nourish the soul.

Expand full comment