Let Me Be There

In light of the passing of Max Rees on Monday I have spent the better part of the past couple of days thinking about the years (1986-1994) I spent as the Director of Youth and Christian Education at Springfield Friends Meeting.  Lots and lots of stories from those great days can be found on this blog- explore the Springfield label if you'd like to read some of them.    As I thought of the wonderful people that were a part of our youth family in those days and the great memories we share together, there was one song that kept coming to mind over and over again.  We sang it all the time at our events, and in fact it was the final song we ever sang together at the going away party the church threw for Marilyn and I.  The song was Let Me Be There.


There are several interesting things about the song, which was a pop hit back in 1972.  First of all, in today's world it sounds more country than most country music.  It was never intended to be a spiritual song, but when sang in our particular setting, it was perfect.  Olivia Newton John, who sings it, had a much bigger impact on our group through her performance in Grease.  I'm not even sure the youth knew she had been the original recording artist.  But despite all of that, Let Me Be There became our signature song.  It proclaimed our love for one another and desire to live life together as the family of God.  As I remembered Max and his family,  looked through the old stories and old pictures from our days together and felt a little sad about not being able to attend the memorial service in NC this Saturday, I realized only one thing could really express my emotions and my love for those folks.  One YouTube search later, and here it is- the original recorded version of Let Me Be There.  Even though we cannot be there Saturday in person, we will be there in spirit.  And I hope that everyone from our Springfield years knows that we think of you often and love you bunches.  Even from way down here in Florida- "All I ask you is let me be there..."  Now welcome to TNT- everybody sing!!!