Bittersweet Anniversary - Soapbox Jr.
On September 20, 1964, Mom and Dad were joined together in the bonds of holy matrimony. For many years, I’ve posted pictures of Mom and Dad shortly after they were married and two things always stand out about the photos, “Wow, your Mom was pretty!” and “I never saw your Dad without a beard before!”
In their later years together, Mom and Dad celebrated their anniversary on the road, and in 2018, they celebrated at the historic Greenbriar Resort in West Virginia and dined in one of their famed restaurants. We also featured photos from that anniversary and others every year through 2019.
And then came July 6, 2020.
While the world was already at a sudden stop due to the pandemic panic that was still at full strength, the little world Mom and I shared came to a screeching halt when Dad left us that terrible day.
Obviously it was a loss to those he was close to, friends, employees, band members, and of course, his many fans, some of whom had been coming to see him perform for so long they were like family. Dad emphasized that every year with the CDB fan club party which became known as the “Family Reunion,” and there were a few who earned a special place in The Century Club. Club members received a special belt buckle for attending one hundred CDB shows. I don’t believe anyone had to bring one hundred ticket stubs or anything, I think after years and years, you knew who the die hards who never missed a show in an area, or even a surrounding area, so I guess there was a bit of an honor system in effect.
But even those fans - as special as they are - couldn’t quite feel what Mom and I were feeling; the pain, shock, sorrow, fear… so many feelings and for the longest time it seemed like a bad dream that would evaporate when the right dawn rolled around.
But to this day, nothing has changed in the waking hours, he’s still with the Lord.
But back to Mom and Dad’s anniversary, I made a decision in September of 2020 to not post about Mom and Dad’s anniversary. I did so to protect Mom. I know it’s a hard day for her, one filled with beautiful memories, but now clouded by mists of melancholy.
I felt that Mom didn’t need the reminder that Dad was no longer here with us, so I pulled it off of the social media calendar, or the extra attention from friends acknowledging the once joyous occasion.
Of course, it didn’t work.
People still remembered, and those pesky “one year ago” “three years ago” etc… notifications would pop up in Facebook, so I really hadn’t accomplished anything.
A couple of years ago, Mom asked me about not posting their anniversary, and I explained my reasons as to why I stopped, but she said to please go back to posting it again.
So I did.
From now on, we will continue to highlight what was a great moment in Daniels family history, even if it still stings.
Happy Anniversary to my beloved parents, one of the truly great love stories.<
Your adoring son.
What do you think?
Let’s all make the day count!
Pray for our troops, our police, the Peace of Jerusalem and our nation.
God Bless America!
#SonyReleaseHonkyTonkAve
#BenghaziAintGoingAway #End22
- Charlie Daniels, Jr.
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