Serenity

Thank you for given' me what you've given' me
And I will take everything make it worth your time
All I'm livin' for is some... some serenity and I....
All I'm askin' you for is some peace and quiet.
I know that you've lived more life
And you've seen so many things...
This time it's not the same
And I see with two different eyes.

The world is about to explode and I want to live it up
It's no perfect fairy tale or some theme from a story book
Its all about slaving the grind... is that what we're fighting for
A cold concrete paradise
Well I hope there is more in store for me
I hope there's more in store for me

Thank you for giving me opportunities and I know it took
All your strength to swallow your pride
Each day has given to me more of that inspiration
And I will channel it from deep down inside
I know that life is so hard and we have come way too far
It's just another wall that I need to climb

The world is about to explode and I want to live it up

It's no perfect fairy tale or some theme from a story book

Its all about slaving the grind... is that what we're fighting for

A cold concrete paradise
Well I know there is more in store for me

I know there's more in store for me

(Lyrics to Serenity by Tyler Thomas Campbell, copyright 2010, from Arden Park Roots album, "Selfless Acts of Heroism" to be released in Spring, 2010)

You Taught Me To Fly

Inside every man

There is a being 

Inside every man

there is a hidden soul

There is a spirit he cannot control

Trapped by the constraints of time

This kindling fire seems left behind

A young and restless heart

A child that wishes to run free

An eagle ready to fly

A hope to one day be alive

Alive again and beautiful

A lonely hand reaching out

A singing flower leaning to the sun

A brand new view, never before seen

A race against time not yet begun

It lives only within him

It breathes on the love he breathes

It walks only the road he walks

It sees only the magic he sees

Until one day, suddenly

A chance to soar to new heights

To light new flames

To live a new life

Out of the depths of your love

A child is born

Out of the strength of your dreams

A new promise sworn

She will be the correction to your mistake

The jump in your heart

The fulfillment of your aspirations

The light in your dark

She is in you

You created her

And for you she will fly

Your baby bird

(by Samantha Campbell - December 2005)
(Photos - top Treasure Island, Bay Area, 1990 - bottom 1st flight over Sacramento, 2005)

Question?

Research at warp speed
 Beam me the answer Google!
 Ahhhhh....

Eating My Cake

I miss…

Playing baseball with my son Tyler Thomas Campbell. Shagging balls he’s hung on a string to the outfield.  Watching him go 5 for 5 in one game and batting .585 for the season; .565 the season before that.  Being the best of the best in his league.  Having someone who knows compare his high body in the water style of swimming to that of the Olympian gold medalist, Don Schollander.  Having him play sweeper in soccer, alone in front of the goalie, stopping everything coming from either side and down the middle…fast…fast…fast…speed and right-on decision making.  His cookin’ hyperdrive synapses. Having people tell me what a great athlete he is. I didn’t expect any of it from him and that made it all the better.

The throw-your-head-back laugh of my daughter Samantha.  My little girl who is now a beautiful young woman.  Her natural grace and speed in pursuit of a soccer ball.  Having people tell me what a terrific player she is. Having people tell me what a terrific person she is.  I didn’t  expect any of this from her and that made it all the better.

The high notes, the volume, the passion of rock and roll.  Sooooo sweet baby.  Chills up and down the spine…really.

Being lean and mean and 165 pounds…the energy… the vitality.

A good, rip-roaring drunk… the fine times and the spirited discussions… the attempts to resolve the issues; war, religion, politics, women and friendships over too many drinks.

A pack of Marlboro’s.  The high of nicotine… the feeling of a good smoke after a meal.  A lit cigarette in my hand punctuating a high strung conversation.  Yes, I am a lifetime addict and I wouldn’t wish this on anyone. Over 18 clean years is not too shabby though.

Being poor...the little things really meant a lot then.

Riding a dirt bike in the high desert of Idaho.  Falling off.  Getting up.  Picking up.  Kick starting again.  Hauling ass.  Rolling, flying speed. The smells.  The sights.  The camaraderie.  The Harleys... or course, the Harleys.

Playing racquetball, softball and golf when I could rip all of them.  Putting soft hands on a football and running through/over tacklers in sandlot tackle games. Being able to run in several speeds… all of them quick.

Friends I have lost track of...or simply lost.  William K. Smith, Tom Cook, Marty Atha… others.  Friends I have but don’t see often enough.

Mopsie’s Aerial Motions – Old English Sheepdog, friend and Frisbee catcher extraordinaire. Her successors, Sparkle Plenty II and Molly - world's greatest Goldie.

A three and a half pound German Brown trout caught on ultra light tackle in the swift Missouri River…with eagles flying overhead and beaver swimming by.

My Mother and my Father

These days are gone.
The memories vivid... indelible.

I celebrate:

My wonderful, forgiving wife of over 40 years, Julieann Marie Campbell.  I have already asked her to marry me again in the next life, to have fifty kids and help me run a custom big twin motorcycle shop.  She will probably not accept all those terms.

Watching my kids grow up and learn about life. The significant charity work they are or have been involved in.

All the people and experiences I have known and had.  The things God gave me that have made up my life.  I am very lucky to have been there… to have done that. I am also lucky to be here right now...  doing the things I love right now.

Friends!  How else are you going to celebrate life?

These moments are here
The memories forming... growing stronger each day.

"Cabbage" or "CABG"? Whatever...

He was trimming branches
While perched in a crook 

Of the mulberry tree

Centerpiece of their backyard

Where their children grew

He was working with a hand saw

When he noticed a heavy feeling

Gripping his chest

He paused; it passed

A few days later 

He teed off at the first hole

And as he walked down the fairway

He noticed the feeling again

He slowed; it passed

Over the next couple of weeks

It occasionally returned

Brought on by slight exertion

Leaving quickly upon rest

He saw the family doctor

Thinking it remained from a recent cold

The doctor said, "angina"

And sent him to a cardiologist

The cardiologist

An interesting man who peeked around corners

Before rounding them... ran his tests

A catheterization up through the leg to the heart

And declared blockages

85% of the left descending aorta

The "Widowmaker"

Among others...four to be exact

Coronary artery bypass surgery

"CABG" in the industry was strongly suggested

He wanted another opinion

"Could it be reversed through diet?"

He saw another cardiologist

Harvey M did not peek around corners

He came right in and shot straight,

"This is a no brainer."

"We'll do the surgery here

And I will follow you if you want"

The deal was set

They went for it two weeks later...

It took away his breath to agree

Surgery was due on a Monday

His son, age 12, had a baseball game

Scheduled the following Saturday

He had two things in mind,

Reassure his wife and attend that game

Though still in his 40's
He told her
I have had a great life
If it is over now, so be it

"You will be on a respirator in ICU."
"We will keep you under so it won't bother you."
He woke up there in the ICU and was still intubated
He made motions to the nurse 

So he could make her a note

To remind her 

He wasn't supposed to be awake
She just turned up the juice
On his IV
And conked him out again

It was Monday when they worked
Tuesday they had him walk
Wednesday more of the same
Thursday he told them 

He wanted to go home

His cardiologist said, "You're a little fresh,
But we'll see."
Friday they let him out
Feeling better then he had 

In a long time

Saturday the game was cancelled
On account of rain
He asked his son to take batting practice
So they could go to the field anyway

He sat in a lawn chair with his daughter nearby
Watching opposite field line drives
Being hit by his perennial All-Star
Using a day given to him...the right way

That was it
A new life began
Enriched by compassion
From family, friends, doctors, nurses and technicians

That was almost 20 years ago
That was remarkable

February, 2022 update: More than 30 years now. 

The gift that keeps on giving.