I don't know why I'm blabbing so much instead of just saying that I played this album and in the cool night air with a cricket chorus, it took me right back to nights in my childhood--being in bed and hearing snatches of my parents post-bedtime life as they played music and chatted in the living room.
I thought I'd just play a few songs, but I'm on the second side now enjoying the absolute romanticism of Urdu lyrics: Jab dil hi toot gaya, hum jeeke kya karenge? (Now that my heart is broken what could I accomplish even if I continued to live?)
This was such a prized possession for my mom... I'm sad thinking why she's in a season of giving her favorite things away. I'm so unready for anything to happen. I burst into tears last week when my dad tried to have an end-of-life talk with me. And then I kept going back to it my head on the plane yesterday where I unknowingly picked two dad-centered movies (Atrangi Re and Aftersun, both recommended) and cried some more.
Pic: In the solarium at night playing old records.
6 comments:
There are so many songs that make me think of my parents. It's a lovely way to remember them. And just think about what musical memories you're creating with your own children!
How nice to have something so personal from her. I know it's hard, though, to think about why she might be giving it to you. My mom moved a few months ago, and we got some Christmas decorations, a big chest (that cost a small fortune to ship) and some other knick knacks when she downsized. It felt related to the move, though, more than her age.
Old is gold.
About fifteen years ago, my parents - who were in their late 50s early 60s and in perfect health - informed me that, when the time came, I was to never put them into a nursing home but instead get a home care nurse, and also, to DNR them. OKAY THEN, THANKS FOR THAT. But at least I know what they want. The last time I visited them my mom tried to give me all this china and other stuff, and I was like, Mom, I'm not moving to Mars, we can deal with this later. I guess I'm not quite ready for that transfer of items quite yet. But also my mom just turned 70, and I guess she's feeling it. My dad gave me a huge printed list of all their "people to contact" (lawyer, bank, etc.) and while it's a bit grim, at least when the time comes I will know. Still, it's unsettling.
There is a lot of music that reminds me of my parents, mostly stuff from my childhood - Kenny Rogers, for example - and my dad's favourite song ever is House of the Rising Sun. Nothing like a song about a den of sin to make you think of dear old Dad. Also, there is a Chicks song, Wide Open Spaces, that has a line that goes "when her folks drive away, her dad yells "check the oil"" and WOW, does that bring me to tears every single time.
My grandma gave away her stuff for YEARS, and while I am glad I have it, it was always sad at the time of the gift.
Thank you for the shares, friends. I *am* glad to have these memories and songs and objects for sure.
StephLove--agree with you about things being related to the move in your case. Just the fact that there has been a move to a place with fruit trees that require care, makes this a completely different thing.
Nicole--Rising Sun is an atmospheric favorite of mine too, and then your comment about it made me LOL and then the next minute a big gulp with the "Check the oil" line. Yeah, WOW.
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