My Dad was often my best friend.  When I think of him, it’s not about my father’s HYDE moments, it’s about the great times shaped by water and sport.  Love that guy!

We wrap up our trilogy: ‘Before A Beginning, An Ending’ with our anchor  ‘Motion of the Ocean’. All of the songs of BBE (BABAE) are connected to events leading up to or in memory of my dad’s life.

I wanted this final song to celebrate my dad’s life just like we did at his memorial dinner.  That night there was no talk of the problems he created for both the family & himself as chronicled in ‘HYD’N’ or talk of my Uncle’s betrayal as revealed in ‘Hollow Bar of Gold’.  It was just memories inspired by the pictures we laid out, stories about the fun things he did with us and his grandkids throughout his life & jokes about his antics both sober and buzzed.

When I was a kid us boys spent many a weekend with him on my grandfather’s boat on the Great South Bay off Long Island.  We’d fish and clam and I’d burn in the sun for far too long.  Every once in a while, they’d treat us and we’d anchor off and cross the dunes of Fire Island to body surf on Sailor’s Haven National Seashore.

Through my teen years we weren’t always on the same page, but no matter whether we were pissed at each other or digging each other, we played B-Ball.  All afternoon and through the summer nights until we had nothing left to give the orange, pebbled ball.  My friends or the neighbors would often join us.  That ritual lasted through my college years and into my early years as a father.  Whenever we returned for a visit, the B-Ball came out.  He cheated as often as possible through his very last game.

The Motion of the Ocean built the foundation of our relationship.  Basketball became the home that sat upon it. 

Herer’s to you, Dad – thanks for the memories!