The Fabulous Fifties
July 2005
Driving to the Olympic Peninsula for the weekend, kids in the car plus enough stuff to outfit a family of 5 for 3 days. It's a long drive, so we stack disks into the CD changer. One of them I received from my brother. It's a copy of one of the "Fabulous Fifties" albums, you know, the ones they advertise along with Ginsu knives, not available in stores, yours now for 3 easy payments of only $13.99.
July 1978
Driving to Paris, TN for 2 weeks, kids in the car plus a 27-foot Terry travel trailer, and enough stuff to outfit a family of 6 for forever. It's a long drive, so Dad loads one of the bright yellow 8-track tape albums from the "Fabulous Fifties" collection he'd purchased recently. We know what's coming; we beg, plead, harass and mutiny but to no avail. Dad loves these songs, and he sings along at the top of his rather formidable lungs, each and every note off-pitch just enough to break your will to live.
July 2005
"If you lo-o-o-ved me half as much as I love you..." The scratchy strains fill the car and I hear chattering children in the back begging for a different CD; but over the noise I hear Dad's voice - flat and sharp and exuberant - singing along. "...you wouldn't tre-e-e-at me half as bad the way that you do...". And I don't beg him to stop. And as my husband's hand reaches for mine, I notice that I'm crying.
posted by eclectic @ 7:32 AM
14 comments
14 Comments:
And now so am I.
I cannot even begin to think about the day that my parents aren't around.
So with that, I will STOP all thoughts along those lines and go see if SierraBella posted those "red-n-blacks" yet.
Very nice post!
My parents had quite a collection of 50s songs, which I absolutely hated... except for one nobody probably knows:
"While riding in my cadillac...
The horn went beep beep beep..."
It was a song about a little Nash Rambler, of all things!
Isn't it funny how someone else's post can bring up such great memories?
Thank you Eclectic!
BTW- I just posted the now infamous "Red-N-Blacks!"
My father didn't sing off-key, but he was very loud. Loud enough to embarass any of his teenaged children sitting by him in church. He's been gone for over fifteen years now, but I can still hear him sing. :-)
Aw gee, soozieq, I didn't mean to make ya cry. Forgive me?
Thanks, sierrabella! I bet my dad coulda recited all the lyrics! I can't call it to mind, but I'm awfully glad to have sparked a pleasant memory for you!
And you've caused quite a little tempest over your racy lacies! Good for you!!
squirl: Isn't it funny how you actually do hear him? And OMG I can't tell you the times my sibs and I cringed in church! Your comment cracked me up because I share that exact memory.
Eclectic ~ Yes I forgive you. I actually thought of you yesterday....let me set the stage:
The Chinese restaurant that was supposed to deliver our food, found themselves without a delivery driver.
Me being the "good daughter" (ok, I'm only good by default as I'm the only daughter) offered to go pick up the food. My Dad volunteers to go with me, but he wants to drive.
July 2005
I climb into my Dad's Honda Pilot, the new car smell is heaven to my nostrils. He's mumbling to himself and fidgeting with his sunglasses, garage door opener, windshield wipers, power window buttons (he's still figuring all the "bells & whistles" out on his new car) The radio comes on BLARINGLY loud. I wince it's that loud! Thankfully he doesn't sing along as it's Whitney Houston screeching "and IIIIIIII will always love youuuuuuuu".
I HATE the radio station that my Dad listens to. Its touted as "Soft Rock" and it's pukey if you ask me. But when he's gone, I have a funny feeling I'll probably add it as a preset to my radio in the car...not on the first set of presets though, I mean lets be real.
This post is so wonderfully sweet ... I adore the circle of life ...
Yea. What Nilbo and Romy said. Smiling, here.
Very sweet story. Now you've gone and gotten me all choked up...
Smiling through tears here, just beautiful, what a wonderful tribute to your Dad.
Great story, I love the way you wove those together.
And Squirl is sooooo right about Dad singin' in church. Oh, yeah.
I've been by a few times, and just dont have the words.
Hugs.
soozieq: Treasure it! It's precious time. But it's OK to hate the music....!
nilbo: Thanks. But why do I keep hearing Phil Collins now?
romy: You're most welcome! After all the wonder I've experienced from your writing, it's truly a pleasure to return a little.
susie: I've seen a picture of your smile and if I can cause it to grace the world, then I'm happy.
jenny: Oh no! Will some candy help? *wink*
kitty: Thanks, sweetie! I'm glad you're going to have good memories of your Grandpa. They really do help through the loss when that time comes. *smoochies back*
nanina: That means a lot to me, thank you. He really was a wonderful man and I was lucky to have him as long as I did.
bucky: Thanks! Well, technically, my dad didn't really sing...howling is probably a better word...!
lawbrat: You're so sweet to stop by even when you've got so much breathing down your neck right now. I'm sending you all the positive thoughts I can conjure!
Hi. I've just been over at the sisters' place, and my heart is breaking. It doesn't look good, does it? Just wanted to come over and hang out with someone who knows what's going on over there. I'll just sit here for a bit, friend. Then I have to go back to work. I hope if the end really is coming, it comes soon and mercifully. Except the one sister isn't there. Oh, I hope she comes, for her sake. You were very eloquent and lovely in your comments over there.
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