The Ache

Of all the things I remember
Of growing up on the west side
Always got the best sunsets
Grillin' out on the back porch
Neighbor kids in the parking lot
Sister riding on the handle bars
I spent most of the Eighties
Driving my mama crazy
Still don't know how she made it through
After my dad left I would see him
Like every other weekend
Guess he was just human too

But right now I'm feeling the ache
I didn't build this house but I carry the weight
Between the memories and the mistakes
I can't tell if it's hurt or healing
But I'm feeling the ache

Sat outside in that Chevy
Windows down he lit a cigarette
I said: Dad, I gotta talk to you
He sat there and just listened
I said things he didn't know I knew
Then he cried when I forgave him
That's the business of forgiveness
You can say: God as my witness
But your heart doesn't forget
Least it hasn't happened yet

'Cause right now I'm feeling the ache
I didn't build this house but I carry the weight
Between the memories and the mistakes
I can't tell if it's hurt or healing
But I'm feeling the ache

I still drive by those apartments
Where we lived when you lived with us
Those were the happiest days back then
I got kids of my own now
I know it's hard to be a man
Believe me I can understand

But right now I'm feeling the ache
It's about as much as I can take
Right now I'm feeling the ache
I didn't build this house but I carry the weight
Between the memories and the mistakes
I can't tell if it's hurt or healing
But I'm feeling the ache