David Roe & The Royal Rounders: The Music

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The songs on F.O.R. are not for sale. Feel free to copy and distribute it any way you want. But, when you give or receive a copy, please make a donation to the NY State Troopers Foundation WWW.NYSTROOPERSFOUNDATION.ORG in Reggie’s memory.

For some it is the assassination in Dallas, a wedding, birth or graduation. For me it was the day we discovered Reggie was not at the Short House, Slant House, Robs, or Nate and Marge’s, or anywhere. It is my life divider. There is before and after.

My life until then was Bobsey Twins Go Around The World. I grew up in a Currier and Ives postcard. And so did Reggie. Band. School. Church group trips. Camping. Swimming. Skiing. Our parents provided us with everything and promised to send us to college. Our choice was safe, inexpensive, nowhere extraordinary or even very far from home, but in another small town like home.

I didn’t know baby Reggie, giggling Reggie, growing Reggie, Reggie becoming Reggie. I met the fully formed Reggie. She was the most serene person I had ever met. Her free flowing appearance masked her dedication and seriousness in study and life. She had a schedule, an agenda, but would make time to counsel a friend or watch a sunset. She meditated and prayed, but not in a showy, overt way. The first time I saw her sitting silent, I sat down right where I was on the lawn. When she finished and saw me there, she laughed and sat by me for awhile.

When Reggie was taken from us, I lost faith and doubted even the existence of a benevolent God. I took my mantra from Miracle on 34th Street- “I believe. I believe. Its silly, but I believe.”
Thankfully, I have lived long enough to learn that although I may have given up on God, God didn’t give up on me.
There is the story about the man caught in a flood who cries out to God for help and guy with a 4 wheel ATV passes by and says “Hop on!” to which the man replies, “ No thanks, My God will save me.” Then a boat and a helicopter offer him assistance to which he replies, “My God will save me.” He drowns and goes to heaven where he gets an audience with God at which he accuses God of abandoning him. To which God replies, “I sent you a truck, a boat and a chopper. What more did you need?”

It has taken 28 years, but I know now that God gave me all I have ever needed to know. He sent a teacher, wise beyond her years. And then sent a group of officers, investigators, prosecutors and scientists to help us solve the mystery of her death and set us on the road to healing and forgiveness.

Reggie was the one who told me it was OK to be Buddhist, and Catholic, and Questioning, all at the same time. She was the one who told me that there is one God who has sent many intercessors to us. The lesson of The Buddha is the lesson of Christ and Mohammed and Krishna and the muttering bum on the corner. Love. Share. Tread lightly on the Earth. Be amazed at the beauty and splendor around. Watch out for the less fortunate. Take care of your elders and teach peace to your children.

In some Eastern religions, they say your soul gets reborn over and over, learning lessons and gaining knowledge until, at last, that soul gets to the last ring, the last life, the last lesson. And that soul gets to share some of what they have learned with a few chosen ones before they get to go to the garden with God and sit with all the other ascended masters. Some say angels walk amongst us.

I know both are true, for I sat at Reggie’s feet. Now, we must remember those lessons in serenity, peace and love she taught us in her brief time on Earth.

Way over yonder is a place that I know
Where I can find shelter from hunger and cold
And the sweet tasting good life is easily found
Way over yonder - that's where I'm bound
I know when I get there, the first thing I'll see
Is the sun shining golden - shining rigth down on me
Then trouble's gonna lose me - worry leave me behind
And I'll stand up proudly in true peace of mind
Way over yonder is a place I have seen
In a garden of wisdom from some long ago dream
May be tomorrow I'll find my way
To the land where the honey runs in rivers each day
And the sweet tasting good life is so easily found
Way over yonder - that's where I'm bound
Way over yonder - that's where I'm bound