Daddy loved music. Let me correct that-Daddy loved lyrics.
A ballad.
A story.
A heartache.
He’d point at the radio and tell me, “listen right here”.
Then we’d laugh at the comedy, be heartbroken with the pain and not just discuss, we could feel the universal meaning.
There are some things that are just that-universal.
Music, heartache, and hope…
I was excited to see Croce plays Croce.
In the 6 years of Daddy’s absence, music seems to bring him back into the room.
We would laugh at the big man being brought down. Daddy would say listen- “It’s Slim you have to worry about.”
We would grieve a young man whose beautiful soul could write time in a bottle.
“There never seems to be enough time…”
When you hear that sung by the young man who had so very little time with his Dad it will touch you.
Up on the screen as they play old videos, you know you are witnessing the rare moments that would soon be over.
I couldn’t help but cry.
Sometimes even when you have decades, they end so much quicker than you realize.
As I heard his Dad in his voice, I could hear my Dad in me.
“If I had a box just for wishes and dreams that had never come true, the box would be empty except for the memory of how they were answered by you…”
Timeless.
Life without someone you love is difficult.
The Jamie Anderson quote that “Grief is love with nowhere to go” is so accurate.
But last night that love had a place.
When you stop and take in the beauty of the present moment, you realize that love never dies.
The best of Dad lives in me and my children.
He lives on in his great grandchildren who share his name and mannerisms.
They continue to raise one eyebrow and look at me without even knowing that their expression echoes his existence.
This morning I feel a little closer to Daddy, so very grateful for friendship and even more blessed that I have my memories.
Sometimes they are my only comfort.
I hope and pray that when I am a memory, my children and grandchildren will always continue to feel my love.
And that in my absence they will know-whatever challenges they face in life I am with them.
Whether it be a good example or a mistake because sometimes we are not remembered for our best, but unfortunately our worst.
Despite it all, I hope you feel my love.
Your Mom and Mamie
cherylsuzette 