Mrs. Huels

Theme Song Example

I never would have thought my theme song would be classified as country music. I have listened to classical, alternative, hard rock, pop, and even disco. However, “When the Sand Runs Out” by Rascal Flatts has become meaningful in the last two years of my life. Until January, 2005, I had never experienced the death of a family member. My father, Martin Metzger, died on January 29; his sand ran out at the age of 71.

I remember lying in bed; I had just arrived home from the hospital. Henry Martin, three days old, slept next to me in a bassinet. The sun trapped behind the clouds made my much needed nap easier. Moments after opening my eyes, my husband entered the room with a striking look on his face. “It is very bad,” he offered. I took the phone to hear my brother’s voice. Crying as he spoke, he revealed my dad decided to shovel snow in the morning after a heavy storm. After coming inside and complaining of a stomach ache, he died in his bed.

I felt numb. I wailed. My children had never seen me emotional. I think I almost scared them.

Just after another Martin joined the world, another Martin left it. My father knew we gave Henry Martin his name; I regret they never met. Henry attended his grandfather’s funeral at six days old. Dealing with a newborn and my father’s death brought daily challenges.

Although the song refers to an old friend’s grave, I picture myself at my father’s grave when I hear this song. Except for the funeral, I have not visited his grave since his death. He rests outside of Quincy, Illinois, my hometown, which is almost three hours away. I regret not being able to pay occasional respects to my father, but my mom always notes, “He is not in the casket anyway.”

I know my father would want me to live as Rascal puts it, “Stop lookin’ back and start movin’ on And learn how to face my fears. “ Ironically, my father inspires me more now than he ever did. He left his mark, and now I live to leave mine.