I Hate Parkin' Here

[good4somethingbum]

I Hate Parkin’ Here ©2014 Robert George BMI

I’d gone shoppin’ with my granpa
And that parking lot was crowded
When he pulled into the Super Wal-Mart
But I thought we had it made
Cos his pick-up’s license plate
Let him park close in a handicapped spot

I said, “hey, Granpa…it looks like we lucked out”
But he looked at me and growled

“I hate parkin’ here
It just reminds me
That what’s behind me are my best years
I was high school quarterback in ‘64
Hell, I marched all night long when I joined the Corps.
Useta ride for hours on a mountain bike
Useta climb up boulders on a country hike
Out there huntin’ deer
And now I hate parkin’ here”

He got out slowly and he cussed
It’s like cursin’ was his crutch
Cos he was too proud to walk with a cane
He filled his cart with groceries
Stopped off at the pharmacy
When we checked out it had started to rain

I said, “I’m glad we’re parked where we won’t get wet”
But with thunder in his voice he said

I hate parkin’ here
It just reminds me
That what’s behind me are my best years
Hell, I useta be so fast n strong n fit
Playin’ football ev’ry Sunday with my kids
Out there choppin’ cordwood in the wintertime
Hossin’ home a healthy 12 ft. Christmas pine”
Then he fought back tears
And said, “I hate parkin’ here”

Yeah, he taught me a truth
About my life and my youth
How to be thankful for my health
Cos someday we may all say to ourselves

“I hate parkin’ here
It just reminds me
That what’s behind me are my best years
Hell, I useta be so fast n strong n fit
Playin’ football ev’ry Sunday with my kids
Useta ride for hours on a mountain bike
Useta climb up boulders on a country hike
Out there huntin’ deer
And now I hate parkin’ here”