Preventing a Conclusion

Brian Wilson, nodding to your elders, and backyard pet sounds

Many years ago, I realized that Brian Wilson was still with us. The fact blew my mind, that someone could bottle lightning and then go on to whatever people do ( golf, play with grandkids - I haven’t stayed up on BW’s goings on, can you tell). It seemed so wonderfully human, life-affirming even.

navy mom = life-affirming

Brian Wilson’s long time on earth is complicated when you consider his legal battles, mental illness, drug use that kept him from finishing his music, etc. But! I felt similarly humbled and delighted when I watched the too-long 50th-year SNL celebration this winter. It was close to midnight, Tim had gone to bed, and I on the couch was drooping. But Paul McCartney was supposed to play next and I said to myself, Kara, you can’t turn off the TV when one of the last living Beatles is about to be on it. Come on!!! So I watched Grandpa Paul do what he does (marveling at the lack of wobbles when even I, someone in my forties, might have gotten turned around canoodling on the stage). The performance was fine, fun, etc. (I need that piano design on a mural in my bedroom). What mattered to me was my respect for this elder. It felt good to acknowledge Sir Paul’s cultural legacy in the small way I could, aka not letting my tired ass smash the remote’s off button (someone give me a crown, lol).