The Simple Man: Tom Joad

Mama told me when I was young
Come sit beside me, my only son
And listen closely to what I say.
And if you do this
It will help you some sunny day.
Take your time... dont live too fast,
Troubles will come and they will pass.
Go find a woman and you'll find love,
And dont forget son,
There is someone up above.
And be a simple kind of man.
Be something you love and understand.
Be a simple kind of man.
Won't you do this for me son,
If you can?
Forget your lust for the rich mans gold
All that you need is in your soul,
And you can do this if you try.
All that I want for you my son,
Is to be satisfied.
Boy, dont you worry... you'll find yourself
Follow you heart and nothing else
And you can do this if you try.
All I want for you my son,
Is to be satisfied.

I think my mom has been the single most important influence in my growth as a human being. My dad taught me how to throw a baseball, how to intelligently dissect my faith, and that good preaching does exist. Most of what I learned from my dad I learned outside of the house.

What I learned from my mom is how to take the ideas of my dad and put them into practice. My mom never allowed me to be content with being pretty good, she was always pushing me, in a loving way, towards a further perfection. I don't think she ever read or sang the Skynrd lyrics above, but I can remember many times hearing the underlying message: "Life sucks, a lot, but when it sucks, turn to God and to those around you for support. These are just momentary problems." I ignored the "and those around you" once and those around me paid the price. Then I learned of the unconditional love of the awesome women God put into my life.

I live a long way away from my mom now. I don't call as much as I should, not to the point of "Cats in the cradle and the silver spoon, little boy blue and the man on the moon" but enough to where I feel bad sometimes. Today is not one of those days. Today is one of those days when I remember how far God has taken me in my lifetime and where I would be without the love and support of my family.

I don't feel as if I should move back to Ohio, for a long time. God called us to the city.

Now Tom said "Mom, wherever there's a cop beatin' a guy
Wherever a hungry newborn baby cries
Where there's a fight 'gainst the blood and hatred in the air
Look for me Mom I'll be there
Wherever there's somebody fightin' for a place to stand
Or decent job or a helpin' hand
Wherever somebody's strugglin' to be free
Look in their eyes Mom you'll see me."

I miss my family sometimes but when I remember The Ghost of Tom Joad, I realize that they are not very far away. My calling is to the beaten criminals, the hungry babies, the creation of decent jobs, and the eventual Shalom of Chicago and the world. When I look into the eyes of my friend Ed the homeless man I am closer to my parents than if I lived across the street from them in Mount Vernon.