family music

When I was driving home last night, with just my son in the car, I decided that we, at that very moment needed to hear a little James Taylor, Whenever I See Your Smiling Face. This is a song my husband used to say reminded him of me. Since Dylan was born, the attention has passed to him, which I am happy and proud of. I can remember my husband singing that song to our chubby faced 2-year-old and the song would elicit an even bigger smile. I felt at that moment, we needed to feel that feeling again and I checked the rear view mirror to see if I could get a smile and a hint of remembrance. It's amazing how listening to certain music can instantly bring you back to a memory, can make you feel good from the inside out, make you smile involuntarily, or even cry. It's a good thing. I love to pin lyrics on whatever is happening in my life and make them mesh, like they're singing my tune and putting into words what I can't. So many songs remind me of my family and many times I consciously title them that way. When Dylan was born, Sade's song, I don't even know what it's called, but know all the words, "when you're cold, I'll be there, hold you tight, to me, to me" and so on, held the magic of the incredibly deep love I felt for my baby boy. When my daughter was a baby, we watched Curious George as a family and Jack Johnson's song about being broken down but I'd rather be broke down with you by my side (as you can see, I know lyrics, not titles) . For me, it personified my bond with my daughter and set the stage for our buddiness, if that is even a word. There is of course "our song", for me and Corey. He was away on work, and I watched Prelude to a Kiss. Van Morrison's Someone like You came on and I immediately knew, that was our song. I could go on and on. A few weeks ago, we were all in the backyard, playing ball, swinging on the swingset, BBQing dinner and listening to music. Family Time by Ziggy Marley came on and it so defined the moment. I think every family should have family songs. It bonds and defines and deepens our relationships. Music can produce such intense feelings and it's nice to tie those into family. Of course sitting in the car, in the garage, with all the windows down jamming to Boom Boom Pow and watching my son "get down" in the back seat is great too.