Throughout near 70 years, I’ve come to appreciate music, and other things that hold special meaning for me, many which trigger special memories of things, places, and people with whom/which I’ve been blessed during my life.

There’s a saying, often spoken which reads, “Music hath charms that soothe the savage breast,” sometimes tweaked to say, “Music hath charms that soothe the savage beast.” Either way, it applies to me often, as I listen to music.

I listen to my car radio while running here/there around town, or traveling on extended road trips, often listening to sports’ talk shows, baseball and football games, but mostly music, transforming the car into a karaoke bar.

Every so often, certain songs air on radio, television, or in restaurants, bars, or at events I’m attending that, not only is a favorite to sing along with, but is one that sparks certain people, trips, or other event memory that holds a special place in my heart.

Whenever I hear Elton John’s, Your Song, or Three Times a Lady by the Commodores’ play in whatever forum (radio, television, Facebook, etc.), my mind automatically jump starts memories/thoughts of my bride, Sally.

The words of John’s song, are words I wish I’d written, because they’re words I feel about Sally’s and my relationship, of nearly 44 years since we met. The most meaningful lyrics comes in the chorus when he sings:

“And you can tell everybody, this is your song, it may be quite simple, but now that it’s done,

I hope you don’t mind, I hope you don’t mind that I put down in words,

How wonderful life is while you’re in the world.”

The Commodores hit, was the first song Sally and I danced to, the night we met at 2001, (1979), and the song I requested when we returned there five months later, and I asked her for her hand in marriage. The lyrics I felt were written especially for her and me were:

” You’re once, twice, three times a lady, and I love you, I Love you.”

I knew there was something magical the first night we met, so those were the words I wanted played when asking her to marry me.

As written before, whenever I hear the Pachelbel Canon in any style, I think of our daughter Chasity, as that was one of the most often songs performed by the JHS Orchestra, and Jamestown Orchestra of Youth (J.O.Y.), which Chasy was part of in her school days. When it plays, I think of the strong workaholic, wife, mother and grandmother she is, but most importantly, the strong woman she became, and is today. She’s had bumps in some roads she’s traveled, but has always put others first, and has never stopped thinking/doing, for others. Hearing the Canon makes me think of her.

Whenever I hear the Olympic Theme, I can’t help thinking of our daughter Christina, and the days when she was enrolled in my co-teacher, co-coach, and friend, Fred Natarelli’s Saturday morning Gymnastics Program at the B&G Club. It makes me think how Chrissy’s grown into a strong, hard-working woman, wife, and mother. She’s been on the move much in her life, as son-in-law Jeff was in the Marines when they wed, and after his service was done, jobs took them to various places before finding their way back to this area. Chris is a talented artist, and has gifted many with sentimentally beautiful things she’s made and/or painted. She’s never one to stay idle, immersing herself in job, home, family, and using the talents God gave her.

There are two movie themes, both on my iPod, (yes iPod), that whenever I watch, makes me think of our son Jonathan. Those themes are from Rudy and Field of Dreams.

Field of Dreams is special, because Jon and I began playing catch when he was able to sit up as a baby and we rolled the ball back and forth on the living room floor, through all the years he played ball (T-Ball through College). Some catches we’ve had include on the actual Field of Dreams, on Progressive Field in Cleveland, in suits 15 minutes before his wedding, and once at the ’19 MLB All Star game festivities in The Land.

Rudy is special because while playing almost every sport he played, he was usually the smallest one on the field, yet he gave it all he had at every level. With his hard work and determination, he, through his actions, told every adult he played for, “I can do it, Coach.”

Those themes make me think of how that small, skinny kid grew into the man he is today. He’s become a devoted husband and father to his family, and taken a solemn vow to serve and protect as a police officer, now detective. He’s worked hard to keep that vow, serving in other areas of law enforcement too, telling all his superiors, by his actions, “I can do it, Chief.”

I don’t tell my family, as often as I should, I’m proud you’re all in my life. Love you all!

Music hath charms? Yes, but also has powers to bring back many memories and feelings of pride and love. Hoping everyone is able to recall their special music that does the same.