There is music that marks the pages of our minds. Melodies in time that bring back memories.
It was the 1950’s and I had just become a teenager. On a warm summer night, my Dad and I were returning home from Hickory Hills golf course in Chilton where he was the manager. On this particular day, my mother had come along and had joined in some celebration. Both Alice and Bucky were feeling no pain (perhaps it was the martini’s). As we passed through one of the small towns along the way, the new song of the day “Tennessee Waltz” was playing on the car radio. I think it was sung by Patti Page. The Waltz has a haunting melody but nice. I remember my parents were both singing the words. I guess when you drink, you think you sound pretty good. For some reason the song, the warm summer breeze, and my parents singing made the world seem mystical. For that brief moment in time everything seemed right with the world.
Fast forward 50 years to the present. Your mom and I have been watching the TV show “Dancing With the Stars”. Jerry Springer has been one of the contestants and he was told he had to master a waltz. It was one of the few dances he enjoyed because he promised his daughter he would learn to dance for her upcoming wedding. The song that had been chosen was the Tennessee Waltz. The haunting music began and Jerry glided across the floor with his “drop dead gorgeous” professional dance partner. It was an enjoyable performance and Jerry Springer even “mouthed” the music. It was spellbinding. When the dance was finished, Jerry walked to the edge of the dance floor where his daughter was standing and he gave her a loving hug. Again for a brief moment in time, everything seemed right with the world. It is well known that men don’t cry but they are allowed to get “teary eyed”. Thats it, I got a little “teary eyed”.
The lesson grasshopper is that you all have music that brings back special memories. When the music transports you back in time, enjoy the trip.
Love,
Dad