This was the song Larry chose for Connor once we finally settled on his name. While we had issues deciding on a middle name for Gabriel, we were all over the board on any boy names for Connor. We thought about Brandon (from Brandon Lee and the movie the Crow). We thought about Tristan (the movie Legends of the Fall was very popular and Brad Pitt played Tristan). My cousin had died a few months before we found out we were having another baby so we thought about using Joseph as part of the name. Ultimately, we landed on a formula for finding the name, based on how we ended up naming Gabriel. We would find a family name, a musical name and a name we both liked. We had already decided if we had another boy he would have to have two middle names as well, squashing sibling rivalry before it could even happen.
Since we were talking about boys here, which means they would both end up with Barnes as their last name permanently, I said we would already be honoring Larry’s dad’s side of the family. I also said that since we used Edward as a middle name to honor my father then I felt the family name should come from Larry’s mom’s side of the family. Once we decided that, it was obvious the name should be Franklin after Larry’s mom’s dad who died before Larry was even born. (We did call Larry’s grandmother to make sure that was ok with her and of course she was thrilled.)
Once we had the Franklin part then Rush was the next piece to fall in place. That just left one more name the all-important first name. We knew we would use Franklin and Rush as the middle names. So, until the day he was born we were undecided, we just could not choose between Connor or Cody so we just waited to meet him first. Then he was here and from that first moment he was our Connor Franklin Rush.
It's a scary proposition to become a father for the first time. It is ABSOLUTELY just as scary to become a father the second time. You have a few things sorted from the first time around, but there are a ton of brand new ones. But at least I wasn't 23 anymore...now I was 24!
I think this line set me on the path to choosing this as the song I would dedicate to Connor the moment he was here:
"The more we think we know about - The greater the unknown"
I thought I knew what fatherhood was like, but having two children was definitely the "greater unknown"
I think the average person might not put too much thought into the title, especially "Rhythms", and may just assume it has to do with musical rhythms.
But I, and now you, are smarter than the average bear.
It has more to do with Circadian Rhythms than musical rhythm (though that is obviously implied).
Every time I listen to this song, I think about actual dreaming (when sleeping). And then move quickly to actual dreams (aspirations).
I dream I have another healthy child. I dream Shannon has a safe delivery. I dream I am able to take care of my growing family. I dream I am a good dad.
This entire song embodies all of those notions and so many more.
Here we are 29 years later and I have the answer to so many of those dreams from 1995. I cannot tell you the emotion I am experiencing writing this entry. Happiness... Sadness... Relief... Pride...
We did have a healthy son. Shannon did have a safe delivery. I was able to provide for my family. I believe I was a good dad. There are only two people on the entire planet that can pass judgement on that.
Connor seems to embody everything I dreamed he would become as a man. He loves his wife immensely and I know he would move heaven and earth for her. He takes his career seriously, but not so much that he misses out on living life and having fun. He has several close friends he's had for over a decade and cares about their well-being - and I know 20 years from now they will still be his close friends.
And I know he won't like reading this, but he's kind of like his old man...which if I'm being honest, isn't such a bad thing...
Happy Birthday, Connor - today and every birthday. I love you...
P.S. If you're wondering where the inspiration for Connor's name came from, it's from the movie Highlander - which centers on the Scottish MacLeod clan. The really interesting thing is that we chose the name Franklin prior to his birth and then Connor was born with red hair (which is basically non-existent on either of our families sides). The last person to have red hair was his namesake great-grandfather - Franklin. No-one born since has red hair. This memory alone does my heart good because I know it did my grandmothers heart good...
P.P.S. This song is very biographical in nature to Neil. In Rush's earlier days of touring he would cycle quite a bit. Being a successful musician allowed him to do some fantastic things - like cycle through West Africa. So some of these lyrics speak to that personal experience as well as some of the drum rhythms on this album.
P.P.P.S. I love the pictures - Gabriel meeting Connor for the first time; Shannon being the best mom ever; my awesome style choices with my Bath & Body Works company hat, my Sony Home Theatre Store t-shirt from Columbus City Center Mall, my Structure sweatshirt. Be sure and come back tomorrow for Shannon's write-up to Connor and more pictures!
Mystic Rhythms
Music by Lee and Lifeson / Lyrics by Peart
So many things I think about - When I look far away
Things I know - things I wonder - things I'd like to say
The more we think we know about - The greater the unknown
We suspend our disbelief - And we are not alone
Mystic rhythms - capture my thoughts - carry them away
Mysteries of night - Escape the light of day
Mystic rhythms - under northern lights - or the African Sun
Primitive things stir the hearts of everyone
We sometimes catch a window - A glimpse of what's beyond
Was it just imagination - Stringing us along?
More things than are dreamed about - Unseen and unexplained
We suspend our disbelief - And we are entertained
Mystic rhythms - capture my thoughts - Carry them away
Nature seems to spin - A supernatural way
Mystic rhythms - under city lights - Or a canopy of stars
We feel the powers - And we wonder what they are
Ohhhhhh......
Mystic rhythms - capture my thoughts - Carry them away
Mysteries of night - Escape the light of day
Mystic rhythms - under Northern Lights - or a canopy of stars
We feel the push and pull - Of restless rhythms from afar...
Rest In Peace, Neil Peart - 09/12/1952 - 01/07/202030th Anniversary
Ghost of a Chance 