Brian Carlson may have been born in Canada, but he has certainly learned what it means to live the American Dream. He spent 22 years hauling loads across Canada and the U.S. but one fateful load brought him to Sturgeon Bay in 2002. Then hunger brought him to Greystone Castle where he met Jenny, who became his wife a few months later.
With all of those years on the road, Carlson had a lot of time to think – and dream – but he wanted to turn those dreams into reality. Last July, he sat down at his computer and wrote a poem and titled it “What Matters Most”. A couple of weeks after he shared it with a few people, Hilltop Records in Hollywood sent him a letter.
Carlson says the song should be finished by April. “What Matters Most” is a heartfelt reminder that America is a land of opportunity.
All of this happened as Carlson was writing a Children’s book, “So Long Old Hat”. It tells the story of Carlson’s trusty baseball cap that rarely left his head for 11 years of his trucking career.
Brian and Jenny Carlson are also the founders of the Drive for Freedom Foundation.
What Matter’s Most
Today “I” stand here right in front of one or two, and say it never was about I, nor has it ever been
about you, Him or her, surely we can see that when that coveted banner is “unfurled” and the
Corner cracks in the Strong north wind our eyes are not fixed on just one single star, what has
Unfolded is the true definition of something plural, for there are many stars all in a row a sight
Something to remind us that it is not one who stands with all his might, rather all of us joined by
Arm living one’s own dreams and wanting to share it with the world. Watch them take flight, no
Not me, no way not I; hardly has it ever been about this or that Guy, for me it has always been
About us, to live a life self-efface we look "aft" from whence we came our Steps we trace it is
What we leave behind for others is “What matters most” for that sacred cloth will still wave because
Of the bond of those shining stars that represents so many, sadly not just them or those over
There, this group or that one somewhere, not just me never could it ever be about me for I am
Weak without you. And if I think I am not then ignorance cuts me thru. And for those who go on
In this world and take from all of us what is not just, there will be that moment in your life when the world goes
Dark and as the light slowly fades one might reach for the Hand of me, oh lest we forget? For in
That instance all that may be is “YOU”.
Written by Brian J. Carlson, 7/31/2012
Dedicated to my fellow Americans
