I've become a big fan of George Strait's new song, "You'll Be There."

The lyrics ring true and speak of a time when everyone must cross the thin, but daunting, line that separates life from death. "I'll see you on the other side…" sings Strait and to the faithful that's an assurance. Mothers, fathers, children and grandparents who have gone before us await our presence. No more tears in Heaven they say.

But I'm struck by a reply made by Edith Bunker on the classic 70s sitcom All in the Family. When son-in-law Mike, an atheist, asks Archie why God allows so much suffering, the Bunker family patriarch and lovable bigot fumbles for the words before calling on Edith to answer the question.

"Maybe it's so we'd notice the improvement," she replied.

Not that the world's all that bad. The majority of it's really, really good. If you take the time to enjoy it.

There are simple things in this world that we always take for granted. A gentle breeze stirring the grass and trees. The hug of a loved one in the morning or night. The taste of a homemade cheesecake. Tiny things. Minute things. The common. The everyday. The ordinary, some would say.

Remember when Christmas was an event? Snuggled in bed, not sleeping, but thinking of presents placed under the tree with care. It seemed like the day would never come. Neither would birthdays or summer vacation.

But they came and they went and each day you grew a little bit older until finally holidays like Christmas started coming a bit too fast. So did birthdays. So did summer vacation. Suddenly you're out of school. Suddenly you have a job and a wife and kids. Suddenly you look in the mirror and wonder what happened to the dimpled little boy or girl you only see now in faded photographs.

I suppose my point is this:

You better stop. And smell the roses.

Now that was a pretty bad song in my opinion.

A pretty good message, though.

Kevin Pearcey is editor of The Luverne Journal. He can be reached at

335-3541 or

via email at kevin.pearcey@ luvernejournal.com