As I have said to you previously, music has always been a strong influence on my life. I guess then, it’s only appropriate that I was a DJ for 25 years of it. One particular song, which held special meaning to me, was a 1980’s song by Mike & the Mechanics, called The Living Years. The lyrics of the song were what drew me to it. It was a time of my life when I was really struggling with my identity, and I seemed to be attending a lot of impromptu family reunions, in other words, funerals, as my older relatives had begun to die off. One death that hit me especially hard was the passing of the only grandfather that I ever was close with. I had met my Mom’s real father as a young boy, but only once and only for a short time. We lived with my Mom’s Mom and stepfather when I was in the second grade. But he was an alcoholic, and he and I were never close. Come to think of it, it was my grandma on my Mom’s side, that was the first funeral I ever attended. It was my grandpa and my grandma on my Dad’s side, which I along with my sisters lived with one summer when my parents were divorcing. I have fond memories of that summer. Lots of swimming, as well as Aunts, Uncles, Nephews, and Cousins. It was the introduction to my faith, which has carried me through to this day. My grandparents had a major role in my religious education, as well as the values which helped to shape me into the man I am today. Grandpa’s passing was hard, even though I knew it was imminent, as he had for years suffered the ravages of Parkinson’s Disease. Something I know Celia has a special interest in helping to find a cure for. It’s funny how, at least for me, music has the ability to transport me back, to a time and place where I was when the song first gained a hold on my life. I remember the feelings that churned inside of me, as I composed the letter I wound up sending to my Dad, along with the CD. The letter told him of my feelings about my grandpa’s, and his father’s passing. I still credit this song for bringing my Dad and me closer together. Even today, hearing this song brings back such strong emotions, I start bawling like an infant. As I have said, music, especially now, has such a major influence on me when I hear certain songs.
