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Stroll Thru Yesterday
In September 2005, I went on a seminar run to Salt Lake City and Ogden, Utah. While there, I reserved one evening to drive up and visit a cozy little town along the northern Wasatch front called Brigham City. This is the place where both of my parents were raised, met each other, and started their family. As I drove north into town on Main Street, I came across the historic Brigham City Tabernacle. There is a beautiful picture of this building hanging on the wall of my parents’ home, but I did not recall ever being inside or on the grounds, so I decided to stop. All the doors were locked, so I decided to simply stroll around and enjoy its beauty and peace.
A different feeling began to come over me – a feeling of deep appreciation and gratitude and love. I began to envision two wonderful young people working out life’s challenges in these beautiful surroundings. Eventually, I drove on into town, trying to locate neighborhoods I recognized (see House On The Hill), and bringing back many of my own memories. I ended up sitting in my car at the drive-in hamburger/ice cream shop that has been there for years and years. About the time I got a brain-freeze from the large, delicious chocolate shake I was nursing, I also got some inspiration to take out some paper and a pen and put down some words. Most of the words to this song were written right there sitting in my rental car in the parking lot at Peach City.
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| Today I took a stroll around the tabernacle... |
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| For leaving us a legacy that's still intact... |
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Back at the hotel where I was teaching, I found a piano near my seminar room and worked out the beginnings of chords and melody. I hope I will never forget the feelings I had during this process. Some of those feelings returned to me a few weeks later as I sat alone at one of the pianos in the church on Eighth Avenue in Yuma. This is where I was struck with the hope that my children would be able to sing a similar “thank you” to me and my wife when they some day take a stroll thru yesterday, perhaps strolling the halls of this church building. I only hope I can always remember the feelings that came while creating this song and continue to feel deeply its message.
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Stroll Thru Yesterday
By Michael D. Squires
Today I took a stroll around the tabernacle,
And tried to imagine them as a younger couple.
What were their feelings when they roamed this place?
Did they have the challenges that we now face?
Today I had a milkshake at the old Peach City,
And tried to imagine him telling her she’s pretty.
I didn’t know I could feel this way,
Until I took a stroll thru yesterday.
I didn’t know I could see these things,
But now I see them here and my heart sings…
Thank you. For being innocent and young.
Thank you. For sometimes choosing right instead of fun.
For leaving us a legacy that’s still intact.
For all the love that we still feel when we look back.
Thank you.
Today I drove past where the old house once stood.
And was flooded with mem’ries of the neighborhood.
In those carefree years that I recall
Did they really have any worries at all?
Today I caught a glimpse of how life was then
For that couple that got started way back when.
And the wisdom of their actions was not always clear,
But now I see thru their eyes and their virtues appear.
And now it’s my turn to give life my best shot.
I’ll always be so grateful for the examples that I got.
And in my heart there’s one wish when my kids have grown and gone,
That when they stroll thru yesterday, they too can sing this song…
Thank you. For being innocent and young.
Thank you. For sometimes choosing right instead of fun.
For leaving us a legacy that’s still intact.
For all the love that we still feel when we look back.
Thank you.
Today I took a stroll around the tabernacle
And tried to imagine them as a younger couple.
Thank you. Mom and Dad, thank you.
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