A lucky star

This is a scene I’ve seen plenty of times... but in many different forms.

A young me, maybe 8 years old at a Backstreet Boys concert. It was pouring down rain, we ran into the mall and you bought a red jacket for yourself and one for me so we wouldn’t be absolutely soaked. You told me again just the other day that the only reason you survived that concert is because they played The Rolling Stones the entire time before the concert and during intermission.

A still young, but older, 5th grader me, at a Rolling Stones concert. Yes, I’ve seen The Stones and yes, I loved every minute & sang along to every song. That’s a concert I’ll never forget.
• “Faith has been broken, tears must be cried. Let's do some living after we die”

A teenage me driving around in the Jeep, with you forcing me to memorize the words to “Open All Night” by Bruce Springsteen. A song I listen to often today.
• “hey ho rock n roll deliver me from nowhere”

The one day you played me “Never Needed It More” by Chris Smither and asked me what it meant to me. At that point I said it sounded like he had found a dog, but today I have a slightly different opinion - it means so much more.
• “If love is the meal for the hunger you feel, call for the waiter”

Or the day you made me dance with you on your balcony to several songs & it dang near made me cry the whole time!

I’m pretty sure I’m the only person I know besides you that knows every word to “1952 Vincent Black Lightening” by Richard Thompson. What a dang good song it is. It’s a shame more people don’t have it memorized.
• “And I don’t mind dying but for the love of you”

But my favorite day... The day I cried as you pushed me around the dance floor on my wedding day to “Love and Happiness” by Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris.
• “you’ll always have a lucky star, that shines because of what you are”

Last night it was something as simple as a small venue in Sarasota, listening to the Resonant Rogues. Watching you bob your head along, tap your foot to the beat.
• “We know your road has been long, so please sit with me and sing your favorite song”
​
From John Prine to Hank Williams III, Led Zeppelin to Jason Isbell, Prince to Johnny Cash. You’ve played it all. You taught me that good music could heal the most broken hearts. It can brighten the darkest days... but so can you, dad. You’re my constant, no matter how hard my day is. Every time I get in my car, a song comes on that reminds me of you and makes me smile. Thank you for teaching me good music. Thank you for constantly opening my ear to something new - but most importantly, thank you for being you.