Sun to Son

A Letter to Myself (Fiction) Based on a Prompt

Author’s Note:

In the states, a long, cold Winter drags on.

Some of us use this time to remember and to reflect, which can be a much needed resetting. For others, it can be a sad and difficult time with depression and anxiety settling in.

Our overnight hours, recently filled with sweet sugar plum dreams, can quickly turn dismal and bleak. A wicked jolt of our emotions, from joy and merriment straight to Siberia in a New York second.

Fighting off your demons can be an exhausting endeavor.

Music is an underused resource.

It can help to move you in a different direction… lighten your load and soothe your soul.

This prompt series by MJ Polk provides a fresh new look at old songs and lyrics.

Bill Ferguson 🇨🇦 has written stories for this series that contain a myriad of song references, and Gray usually has a mixtape of songs listed at the end of her posts.

Jennifer N. Haddock has provided us with a terrific song prompt this week with Send the Sun, by Nikki Lane.

Send The Sun

With a nod to these four wonderful writers, here is my submission for this week’s Stories from the Jukebox.

---

I pulled into my Dad’s driveway on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

He hadn’t answered my phone calls so I thought I would stop by to check on him.

I pulled up under a massive oak tree and noticed him out on the porch, perched in an old wooden chair with an oversized cushion behind him.

“Hey Dad! How’s it going? You didn’t answer your phone.”

“Yeah, I probably left it inside on the kitchen table.”

“What cha’ doin’?”

“Well son, strangely enough, I’m writing a letter to myself.”

“To yourself?”

“Yep! A letter to my younger self.”

“Wow!”

“I know, no one writes letters anymore, so I just figured I would give the young fellow some of the tips I’ve learned over the years.”

“That’s funny.”

“No, really, I just thought it may help someone, someday… your kids, or their kids, or even you.

“Son, if your world gets to be too much one day and you’re searching for something, whatever that is, I hope you will pull this letter out and read it to yourself.”

“Sure dad, You want to read it to me, now?”

“Well… I guess I could.”

---

A Letter to Myself

“Hey you!

Its me.

I just wanted to say hello.

I hope you are doing well.

I thought I would check in and tell you about some of the stuff it took me a lifetime to figure out. Some things that may help you out when life gets hard.

It’s good to have some weapons in your arsenal to help fight back. These tips may sound strange, but there are two simple, overlooked, things that can really help you when the chips are down. Two things you can find almost anywhere.

Music and sunlight.

Of course, there are many other avenues you could take to help with your problems, but I can only offer what I know. I think these two could benefit you on the surface level, before the claws sink in too deep.

Music is a nice resource to help you through the toughest of times and sunlight really is the best disinfectant.

First, music.

When the dark clouds roll in, try using music to stave them off.

Take the time to listen to some cool tunes, like What a Wonderful World, or Dream On, or Three Little Birds.

Find a happy song like Walkin’ on Sunshine or Bright Side of the Road and try to write a story about it. It’s a fun exercise and it will put you in a different frame of mind.

Or, put your records on, and get jiggy with it, get down on it, dance and shout and boogie oogie oogie til you just can’t boogie no more.

My cousin once told me she was taught to sing her troubles away. I thought that was a beautiful idea and I hate it for the neighbors, but she was right, it works.

You could even pick up a musical instrument and try to figure out how to play. It is a known stress reliever.

Listen to music, play music, go see live music, dance and sing your troubles away.

All of it works.

During the long run of life, the hard times are usually few and far between, but there will be times when you need to dig down deep and have a little faith.

The kind of faith John Hiatt sings about.

And when your back’s against the wall

Just turn around and you, you will see

I will catch you, I will catch your fall

Have a little faith in me

See, I need you to have a little faith in me… in yourself, when storms are on the horizon.

And, those storms will come.

Sadly, bad things are going to happen to your family, to your friends, and to yourself.

You will see horrible stories about horrifying events on the news.

You won’t be able to look away from the hordes of homeless people living on the streets of one of the worlds most prosperous countries.

You will notice the disparities and the unfairness all around you… and these things will gut you, but you have to stay above the fray. You have to keep moving forward, for you, for those around you, for those who love you.

Whenever a situation feels bleak, think about this simple phrase from the song The Search for Optimism, by The Main Squeeze.

We’re gon’ make it, we’re gon’ work it out

That’s it.

And, that’s enough.

Because that’s what we’re going to do.

Every single time.

I don’t want to give away too many surprises, but things are going to work out for you… they are.

Your days will be filled with so many wonderful things you don’t want to miss out on.

You are going to laugh, and love, and live like you won’t believe.

Water tower in Makanda, Illinois

Now, for the sunlight.

When the dark seeps in and tries to crowd out your light, remember these lyrics by John Denver.

Sunshine

On my shoulders

Makes me happy…

If I had a tale

That I could tell you

I’d tell a tale

Sure to make you smile…

If I had a wish

That I could wish for you

I’d make a wish

For sunshine for all the while

Don’t just sit around in the dark.

Go out and get yourself some cheap sunglasses, and step into the light.

The light is where the seeds sprout, the grass grows, and the clouds part.

And, don’t forget, good times usually follow the bad times.

I think the Beatles may have said it best.

Here comes the sun

I feel like the sun is finally melting

Here comes the sun

And, I say, it’s all right

At times, you will have to roll with the punches and get up and move.

When you do, don’t waste your time chasing the setting sun.

Chase the rising one, instead.

Remember, when those long dark shadows come for you, let the words of Nikki Lane and her song Send the Sun, give you a reprieve.

I’m gonna send the sun your way

Wake you up with a dawn full of golden rays

I want you around

So don’t let the darkness get you down

So wherever you are, just know,

I’m sending you the sun.

Always.

And, when life gets heavy and you’re working on you,

please…

don’t let the sun go down on me.

---

“Dang, Dad, that’s awesome. Thanks for reading your letter to me. A lot of good advice in there.”

“Thank you for listening, bud.”

He looked over at me with a warm smile on his face as he folded the letter and laid it on his lap.

We sat in silence, staring out at a deep blue sky, framed by the golden glow of the mid-day sun.