Jimmy Buffett Remembered

I woke up Saturday morning to the news that Jimmy Buffett had died.  Kathy saw the news on her cell phone, and all at once I felt my heart drop a little. This singer of songs about the Caribbean, Key West, bars, cheeseburgers, and margaritas has been a part of my life for more years than I can count.  

I was introduced to Jimmy Buffett by a member of our church, Bill Bekemeier (thank you, Bill!).  I remember the day well because we drove to Jones Beach to tailgate before the concert began.  I even remember that we were eating Popeye chicken that night.  It was the first of five concerts I attended; one of them with Kathy, Bill Bekemeier, and Eric and Myra Hahn, standing through a rain storm that lasted for hours.  We were wrapped in garbage bags but still singing along.

Most people think of Jimmy Buffett as a musician who sings party songs about drinking, women, and fun. Nothing too deep, but through his songs he brought a lot of joy to the hearts of many people.  He comes on stage barefoot in a flowered shirt and sings.  I don't know what he believes, but I do know that he was raised a Catholic and went to Catholic school.  He seemed to rebel against it a bit.

This carefree "beach boy" who sailed boats and flew planes was a businessman who, at his death, was worth a billion dollars.  He also was an author who wrote several books, and I read a couple of them -  good summer reading.  

Most of all, I enjoyed his music, and Bill shared this song with me that I still really like today: "Growing older but not up".  Bill said that this song reminded him of me every time he saw me playing baseball at our church picnic (years ago...).  It goes like this:

I rounded first, never thought of the worst
As I studied the shortstop's position
Crack went my leg like the shell of an egg
Someone call a decent physician

Sometimes I see me as an old manatee
Headin' South as the waters grow colder
Tries to steer clear of the hum-drum so near
It cuts prop scars deep in his shoulder

The refrain is:

I'm growing older but not up
My metabolic rate is pleasantly stuck
Let those winds of time blow over my head
I'd rather die while I'm living than live while I'm dead

I am not sure I would call myself an old manatee, but I have logged in quite a few miles and almost every mile has been enriching and brings me wonderful memories.  I can feel the winds of time blowing over my head but I truly feel that I am still growing - older, wiser, but not up.

Thank you, Jimmy.

MEH

About the Author

Rev. Dr. Marvin Henk, a seasoned pastor from Des Plaines, IL, and Fremont, CA, leads a fulfilling life with his retired teacher wife, Kathleen, their two daughters, Erin and Allison, and cherished grandchildren, Marius and Madelyn. With a distinguished educational background from Valparaiso University, Lutheran School of Theology of Chicago, Union Theological Seminary in NY, and Princeton Theological Seminary, he was ordained in 1974 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Staten Island, NY. Pastor Henk has passionately served as pastor at St. John's Lutheran Church in Mamaroneck, NY. His diverse interests include sailing, baseball, marathons, international travel, collecting model trains, and community service roles.  In addition, he has run with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain.