Bruce Goddard

December 31, 2013 To Family, Friends, Loved Ones and All Ships at Sea:

The Dog Days of 2013. . .

According to the Lunar Calendar, 2013 was the Year of the Snake. But for me and my beloved companion Mia, the Amazing Wonder Dog, it was -- more appropriately -- the Year of the Dog. Many of you know Mia. Others know her through the Travels with Mia feature on Facebook (with apologies to John Steinbeck). You might like to know that Mia joined forces with us on July 19, 2000, when 10-year-old Caroline and I found her at the Oakland SPCA. We brought her home, and this amazing animal has been a constant presence for over 13 years now a dog so smart, lovable and well-behaved that you literally can take her anywhere. Thus, the discovery last January of an inoperable tumor on her liver, believed to be malignant, was a devastating blow. Our friends at the Hope Animal Hospital, a world-class veterinary facility in Birmingham, AL, made the sad discovery and doctors there estimated her remaining life cycle to be just three or four months. In the face of this awful news, the Wonder Dog helped me make a conscious decision: To live each day as if it were the last, to enjoy our travels and each other and to be brave in the face of the inevitable. So far, so good. We know, in our hearts, that every living thing dies. In Mias case, she has an additional advantage since, as Don Bluth reminds us, all dogs go to heaven. So with that out of the way, were free to live . . . and we did some serious livin this year, this pooch and me! Together, we hit the road logging over 10,000 miles. We saw a lot of friends, made a bunch of new ones and lived each moment as it came. We visited 12 states; our itinerary was impressive: In addition to Birmingham, we made it to: Elvis Presleys birthplace in Tupelo, MS; Eudora Weltys home and gravesite in Jackson, MS; Bill Clintons childhood home in Hope, AR; Dealey Plaza in Dallas, TX to pay our respects to JFK, and Las Cruces, NM to visit our New Mexico State womens basketball pals. We journeyed to Lake Tahoe, traveled the back roads of Oregon and explored the magnificent Olympic Peninsula of Washington.

We successfully navigated the automotive holocaust of Los Angeles, CA on three different trips, where Mia got to hang out with her special friend Derek and our Long Beach State womens basketball pals. She also graced the Pacific Ocean surf at Huntington Beach, Pismo Beach and Half Moon Bay, CA, among other spots. And this is just a partial list! Whew! Miraculously, through this year of peripatetic adventure -and a lot of days at home at Woodland Estates, too -- Mia has remained healthy. Despite her prognosis, she carries on -- chasing tennis balls, swimming, sniffing, exploring and enjoying her dog life. Every time I start the car she wants to go along. Who am I to turn her down? Nearly a year after her terminal diagnosis, in the glow of the holiday season, the Wonder Dogs adventure continues. She is lying nearby as I write this, the very picture of canine contentment and peace. Thats the story of her life, and mine, these days. May it continue awhile longer.

Fun and Games

This reflection on the Wonder Dog points to the fragility of life, but also to its possibilities. Particularly as I continue to be blessed with good health, a lot of things do become possible. One arena where this plays out is the sports field. Whoda thunk, with a Medicare card tucked in my pocket, that youd find me on the basketball practice court at Long Beach State, rebounding for a Division I womens college basketball team? Or shagging punts and working with the kickers at Laney College, one of the premier junior college football programs in Northern California? Or playing over 30 games (pictured here) for the Tigers in the Hayward, CA over 60 Softball League? Im also blessed to still be a regular in Saturday Softball, an unlimited-age game that happens every week at the very field in Oakland where I played Little League baseball, gulp!, nearly 60 years ago. Im very lucky, and have to laugh out loud whenever I still get to play at Montclair Park. The sportin life also expanded for me this year as I took on my first coaching job -- with grandson Mateos under 8 baseball team. And Mateo coaches me, too, as my official spotter in my role as public address announcer for Laney College football. Were pictured here, along with Mac and Ollie who, at age 5, also show great promise as sportsmen. To my grandpa, George Burger, Sr. (18981955), wherever you are . . . check it out! LOL!

Song & Dance Man

Once upon a time, when I was 15 years old, my Aunt MiMi, a life-long music teacher, invited me to take her beginning guitar class. I had no idea how important that moment would prove to be; it truly changed my life. A half century later, I play the guitar nearly every day. The way I figure is that if I continue practicing, maybe one day Ill actually be good at it! Until then, music remains a great source of inspiration. I cant overstate how important playing and singing is to me. Vera was right, all those years ago, when she said Im just a song and dance man at heart (mostly the former!). Music keeps giving back, too, most recently at my dear friend Pat Blackmons 75th birthday party. On a snowy December night at the historic Town Hill Hotel, near Cumberland, MD, I performed with old friend Dan Smith -- for the first time in 37 years -and it was simply a magical show. I was also honored to play at the Freight & Salvage Coffee House in Berkeley CA this year. Its a dream-come-true to mount the stage at this worldclass performance venue (accompanied here by Harry Yaglijian, my friend for 50 years). Im grateful for the gift of music, for the songs and for the musicians Ive met along the way.

Red, White and Blue Blues

Having reached a comfortable place in life, one big frustration remains: The state of the body politic in this, the worlds longest standing (free-falling?) democracy. Throughout my professional career, I was privileged to have a front-row seat at the political theater. But frankly, Im discouraged by what I see now. Our democratic institutions dont seem to be able to cope with big issues, and polarization makes public dialogue, on virtually any important topic, nearly impossible. Shouting, slogans and light-weight arguments have replaced thoughtful, reasoned debate and compromise. Toxic hatred of our president passes for political dialogue among many. People with differing views are routinely portrayed as the enemy. Large, commercial media interests fan the flames of discontent (and dont even get me started on Faux News!). These are not good developments! Its embarrassing, really, this inability to confront and solve problems. Our political system served us well in the past, but it is increasingly collapsing under the crushing weight of money lots of money. Indeed, I am coming to see money, itself, as the root of political evil.

The Congress of the United States, whose approval-rating is at a historic low, is comprised of people who spend four or five hours a day, on average, raising money for political purposes. It doesnt take a rocket scientist to grasp that somebody who spends that kind of time begging on Special Interest Street is unlikely to be courageous, see the big picture or seek meaningful change. Alas, we need the very best in people at a time when our system has become quite efficient at procuring the worst. Our democracy is worth saving. I dont have any easy answers, but I think unless we drive the money changers from the temple, soon, we are asking for a heap-o-trouble. My fervent hope is that political leaders emerge who embody the best qualities of humanity . . . with kindness, vision, compassion and grace. May God deliver us from the current crop of pandering, divisive haters. We need to get lucky . . .

Happy to be Here
Despite this and other problems in the world, my faith in the future abides. The river rolls on, although its also part of the plan that friends, loved ones and dogs pass away. Damn it! This year, I mourned the passing of my former wife Kathy, my Uncle George, my Cousin Bill, and two talented musical friends, Dale Miller and Johnny Harbison. I also recall these wise words: As long as one person remembers, your life is not over. Kathy, George, Bill, Dale and Johnny, I remember. Life continues. For me, its better than I could have ever asked for in my golden years, now that Ive reached the age where as my old friend, Tom Padia, used to say-you can stay home and get direct deposit! So Im happily cashing those retirement checks, living comfortably at Woodland Estates, enjoying my children, grandchildren and my dog -- traveling, reading, writing, playing sports and playing music. Im filled every day with a deep, rich gratitude. As James Taylor wrote, a generation ago: The sun is slowly sinking down But the moon is surely rising So this old world must still be spinning round And I still love you

New Happy Year, 2014