We live in a “go big or go home” world today, a world of monster trucks, wide screen TVs, worrying about how big our bank accounts can get, and what else we can have with all the glitz and glitter, bells and whistles, and fame and fortune, that comes with it.

In the midst of these feelings, we tend to step over some of the things that not be as grandiose as the monster truck, big screen TV, or our bAccountsa but, may instead, carry more value and importance than those big things we think we need, or maybe just want. We may be tossing some of the little, but more important and special things of our lives, in the wastebasket.

When my thoughts drift to certain topics or foods for thought, I often turn to my favorite musical storyteller, Jimmy Buffett (R.I.P.), who may have happened to have written words that might apply to what I may be thinking about at a certain moment in time. This is another one of those times.

One of the Margaritaville Madrigal’s shorter, but impactful songs released in 2002, was a tune titled, “Tonight, I just Need My Guitar.” Some lyrics of that song are:

“Gulf coast nights, flounder lights

I’m back on the Eastern shore

With my history of wrecks

I think it’s time to check

The crab trap of life once more

Need is a relative thing these days

It borders on desire

The high-tech world is full of bright, shiny things

We think that we really require

Sometimes more than others

You see who and what and where you are

I’m a one-man band with no immediate plans

Tonight I just need my guitar

Don’t need to feel important or famous

No limos or my little Nash car, one lucky man

With my feet in the sand

Tonight I just need my guitar”

The three verses in italics in this song, strike me every time I hear them, as they remind me that sometimes in the giant scheme of everyday life, I don’t always need a lot of hoopla, or fanfare, or expensive materialistic tchotchkes (small objects that are decorative rather than strictly functional) to make me feel better when things might be difficult. Sometimes, I just need a little quiet time, doing something special to me, to get me through whatever may be praying on my mind right then. Most of these times I like to write, listen to music, or watch baseball.

Buffett’s need for his guitar in this song hits close to home for me, but not with me as a guitar player, but someone special to me who, at times, needed his guitar, to be his companion, in his quiet space, for a little alone time, when he needed to go there.

A week and a half ago, my younger brother, Tom, the fourth teacher out of the four of us siblings, lost his fight with cancer, a different type, but the same C. of D. as Buffett. Since he found out he had cancer, nearly three years ago, he kept everything in perspective, seeking out doctors, consultants, anyone who had some expertise who could set up a plan, seek out the procedures, and guide him, his wife, and son down the best path for his situation. His personal plan included keeping an attitude of moving forward, not feeling sorry for himself, but just continuing to carry on as usual. Since his initial diagnosis, all the medical plans, his personal plans, the prayers and good vibes from loved ones and friends during those many months, were successful, as they gave him two and two-thirds years more, but in time, his illness became just too aggressive.

In his nearly three years since being diagnosed, he focused on things that gave him, Lisa, and Joe enjoyment. Since his retirement as an Associate Professor at Rock Valley College in Illinois, he wrote for a Science and Technology publication and he enjoyed writing. Throughout their lives together, Tom and Lisa enjoyed traveling, camping, music, nature, the wonders of the sky and universe, and stayed active with all these interests, even as he battled cancer. His Facebook profile picture was that of Albert Einstein, as Tom had many of the same interests, and appreciations of science, discovery, nature, and the universe, as did Einstein. Ironically, Buffett also did a song titled, “Einstein was a Surfer,” which is a favorite of mine, and will forever make me mentally picture my little brother and the Father of Relativity, chatting side by side, whenever it plays and I hear it.

I’m sure he was always thinking about his health diagnosis, as anyone would, but when he needed it, he had his guitar and a room in his house, where he could do something he loved to do, to keep his eyes focused forward. Some nights, he just played his guitar.

A few months before his passing, in one of his e mails to the family, he added a link with a video of him, with his guitar, performing a number of songs he sang and recorded, which I’m sure was one of those moments Jimmy Buffett was singing about when he wrote his song 22 years ago.

Down here, or up there, his legacy will live on. He’ll always be a great husband, father, son, uncle, cousin, friend, teacher, scientist, writer, comedian, and brother too, in the minds and hearts of those who knew him.

In both situations, the writing and releasing of Buffett’s song, and Tom’s recording of performing songs he enjoyed and wanted to share, both were an appreciation of some of the little things in life that can keep any of us moving forward, no matter what might be happening in our lives.

I’m impressed with, and by, Jimmy Buffett’s talent and words, and how they do help those who listen. I’m also in awe of my little brother, whom I often called Dr. Bro, that he could stay the course of his life, even when the waters weren’t calm. He was cognizant of smaller things in his life (as he often was throughout his life) being way more peaceful and special, and which, at times, smoothed out some of those rough waves, even if just for a little while.

Love ya, Dr. Bro. I hear they have stringed instruments where you are right now. Hope you can find one in tune. Say hi to Mom and Pop up there, from all of us down here, but make sure you’re wearing clean wings, ’cause you know, Mom will check.

Time for you to fly high now with the eagles and angels, Little Brother, because you’ve earned your brand-new wings!