Three of the songs already mentioned cross over multiple periods:
1/16 “She Works Hard For The Money” by Donna Summer
1/17 “Livin’ On A Prayer” by Bon Jovi
1/18 “You’re A Friend of Mine” by Clarence Clemons &
Jackson Browne
Mom started working and earning money in 1981 or 1982. Friends were a part of her church experience and working experience and greyhound adoption experience. Her volunteering built up gradually, but she had definitely already made friends through it by 1996.
Me feeling too much responsibility? Somewhat in 1994, growing exponentially in 1996, after I graduated, eight months after he left for good.
Well, I guess "I Can't Make You Love Me" stretched out over all of that too.
Sometimes I wonder why a loss doesn't get easier when it has been hurting you over and over again for so long.
Toward the end, it was not uncommon that Dad would leave around 6 in the morning and not get back until around 9 at night, whether or not he was working.
There had been suspicions, but Mom definitely knew there was someone else by at least 1994, even without knowing the full extent.
She still found the final walkout devastating, but I think the recovery was quicker.
1/19 "I Will Survive" by Donna Summer
Maybe cheesy, but relevant (and also one of the songs on the Disco Sweat workout we used to do).
He left in October 1995. I flew to Los Angeles for my first Jeopardy! tryout in November. (Note: it only took me 16 years to get on.)
When the plane was taking off (my fourth plane ride ever), I suddenly felt how badly we needed a getaway. When I got home for Thanksgiving I said that we needed to go to Disneyland.
Was that an irresponsible luxury? Perhaps, but we needed it.
1/20 “Vacation” by The Go-Go’s
My younger sisters took over planning, so we went on their spring break, which started a week before mine. I typed furiously overnight and mailed a paper from the airport.
It was a boost, but it was also an important milestone in the four of us relating to each other as adults and working together.
There were definitely hard times, but there were good times too. Our relationships grew stronger.
1/21 “Joy and Pain” by Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock
There were more flights, though never the four of us again. As the quartet we usually took day trips, and spent comfortable time at home.
1/22 “The Big Bang Theory Theme Song” by Barenaked Ladies
Yes, some of that included television. The Big Bang Theory was not the only show we watched together, but it was one we quoted a lot. Some of the quotes still worked to make her laugh as other memories started to fade.
Plus it had a good theme song.
1/23 “Howlin’ For You” by the Black Keys
I have written about this one before, long ago.
I said I would get back to Mom's arthritis. The years of cleaning probably did not help; she needed both knees replaced.
The first surgery had a much harder recovery for various reasons. It had taken longer, it was cold weather, and she still had one bad knee. The second one went better than we could have anticipated.
The song came on one night as she was feeling better. Mom was still using a cane, but she felt pretty good. She started banging her cane to the music.
That is still a fun, warm memory, but there's a sad side.
It was during the preparations for the surgery that Mom's fading memory first became really noticeable. Maybe there had been some earlier hints, but now it was very clear.
Looking back now, there were a lot of things I never imagined.
That night we really didn't know.
Related posts:
https://sporkful.blogspot.com/2012/04/favorite-music-memories-not.html
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