This is a tribute to my parents….simply two of the greatest parents a guy could hope for. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss them.

I wrote most of this (sitting on the lawn with guitar in hand) at the Botanical Gardens in South Buffalo, NY in 1996 and put the finishing touches on it in Nashville, TN in 2014.

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My mama told the story how when she was just a girl

She could've been a singer and traveled all around the world

But she chose to be a housewife and to raise us kids instead

When I asked her if she had regrets this is what she said:


(She said):    

The brightest light's not the one on a stage

It isn't being number one on the radio today

It's giving of yourself knowing that you've done your part

Yeah, the brightest light’s the love that's in your heart


Daddy worked the steel mill 40 years to earn his pay

And though he came home tired he found time for us each day

A gentle man who seldom ever had to raise his voice

And if I could choose from any Dad - again he'd be my choice


(Because)...

The brightest light's not the one on a stage
It isn't being number one on the front sports page
It's giving of yourself knowing that you've done your part

Yeah the brightest light’s the love that's in your heart


(instrumental)


Now I'm all grown up and married with a few kids of my own

And though we don’t own much we’ve got love inside our home

And the effort that it takes to be a family ain't no fuss

'cause the light from mom and daddy now shines in each of us


(Because)..   

The brightest light's not the one on a stage

It isn't being number one on the bestseller page

It's giving of yourself knowing that you've done your part

The brightest light that shines is the love that's in your heart