Gone to Carolina in My Mind

Have you ever really over thought something?

Something that makes you upset or mad...something that you can't change. I think our generation expects quick fixes and solutions. We want answers and we want them now! Regardless, as The Stones so eloquently put it: "You can't always get what you want...you get what you need."

Alzheimers Disease affects approximately five million people in the United States; a disease that none of us are a stranger to. Alzhiemers seems to come like a thief in the night to take away our memories and our bearings; and in many ways I feel that it is a disease that can be just as painful for family members as it can be for the victim.

My family as millions of other American families is experiencing Alzhiemers disease among one of our own. And as the disease becomes more of the elephant in the room; I have read more and more in an effort to learn as much as I can about Alzhiemers and it's effects. I am never pleased. I did however recieve beautiful insight from the novel by: Lisa Genova, Still Alice. The novel takes you on a journey through the mind of someone with Alzhiemers; this gave me an idea of what it might be like for the person that I have been so concerned about. Pick it up if you are dealing with the same type of situation in your own life.

Nevertheless, I turn to music for solace in so many personal situations. Music seems to be my generations poetry. Through lyric and note I can usually come to terms with whatever is breaking my heart. And that is just it. Alzheimers, just like so many other diseases, is a heart breaker.

The following are the lyrics to one of James Taylor's greatest songs: Gone to Carolina in my mind; I have highlighted the last verse since it seemed to be so relative to Alzhiemers. I know that Mr. Taylor did not write this song to illustrate the onset of a terrible disease, but I am sure he didn't rule out the possiblity that listeners and fans might interperet their own meanings to his verses. That we might love his song as much as he did and give it meanings that could only apply to how it touched us. Gone to Carolina in My Mind debuted in 1968 long before I was born, but it's message, however it may be interpreted still pleases the ear.

Gone to Carolina
By: James Taylor

In my mind I'm goin' to Carolina
Can't you see the sunshine
Can't you just feel the moonshine
Ain't it just like a friend of mine
It hit me from behind
Yes I'm gone to Carolina in my mind

Karen she's a silver sun
You best walk her way and watch it shinin'
Watch her watch the mornin' come
A silver tear appearing now
I'm cryin' ain't I
Gone to Carolina in my mind

There ain't no doubt it no ones mind
That loves the finest thing around
Whisper something soft and kind
And hey babe the sky's on fire,
I'm dyin' ain't I
Gone to Carolina in my mind

In my mind I'm goin' to Carolina
Can't you see the sunshine
Can't you just feel the moonshine
Ain't it just like a friend of mine
It hit me from behind
Yes I'm goin' to Carolina in my mind

Dark and silent late last night
I think I might have heard the highway calling
Geese in flight and dogs that bite
Signs that might be omens say I going, going
I'm gone to Carolina in my mind

With a holy host of others standing around me
Still I'm on the dark side of the moon
And it seems like it goes on like this forever
You must forgive me
If I'm up and gone to Carolina in my mind

In my mind I'm goin' to Carolina
Can't you see the sunshine
Can't you just feel the moonshine
Ain't it just like a friend of mine
It hit me from behind
Yes I'm gone to Carolina in my mind
Gone to Carolina in my mind
Then I'm on to Carolina in my mind
Gone to Carolina in my mind
Gone - I'm gone - I'm gone
Say nice things about me
'Cause I'm gone south
Carry on without me
'Cause I'm gone