Today's entry is going to be a bit longer text wise as I describe what Down Home by Jimmie Allen is to me personally. I heard this song when he performed it on American Idol a few seasons ago as he was a guest on the show, not a participant, though he had been years ago.

When it first played, I didn't pay close attention to it until near the end of the song. Then something clicked and I knew I had to listen to it. So I immediately looked it up on YouTube and start listening. Immediately, this song hit me really hard. It's about him having lost his dad and his dad is up above looking "down home" on him and others. I too had just lost my dad back on July 9th, 2021 to his third battle with cancer. The lyrics of this song were absolutely perfect and powerful and again, struck me really hard. To me, it's an absolutely beautiful song that captures how I feel now that my dad is gone.

I know my dad is out there somewhere, having fun with his old friends who passed prior and now after he did. He's up there drinking a cold beer just like he did every day when he was here. I know he's out there looking "Down Home" on myself, my wife and others. I just hope he's smiling and proud of what I've become after having him teach me for 50 years of how to be a good human.

As always, I LOVE YOU POPS and I MISS YOU more than words can ever say!

I bet you're up there, makin' new friends
I'm pretty sure you're lovin' every minute
If there's a golden pond full of fish
I bet you already caught everything in it
I bet you're makin' everybody laugh with your jokes
I know you're holdin' nothin' but the best kind of hope
Shinin' a light up there with a big old smile, yeah
And meanwhile

[CHORUS]

Down home
Oh, you know Mama's still cookin'
Them down home grits
I promise I'm workin'
With this guitar about as hard as I can
I met a girl, bought a house, I put a nice little paymеnt
Down home
Is still where my hеart is
This down home kid is just how you left him
I still hate that you're gone
I wish you were here
But I hope I'm making you proud
'Cause I know you're up there lookin' down home