But also Jim Croce

When I was working on the "Farewell" playlist, "The Long Walk Home" kept making me think of "I Got a Name" by Jim Croce.

It's not unusual that one musical passage reminds me of another -- that can lead to mixing fun -- but I wanted to look into it more.

I foolishly tried looking up "I've Got a Name", but found the correct title and the artist. 

I never knew a lot about Jim Croce, but somehow when the ads for his music played, the ones that stuck in my head more were "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" and "You Don't Mess Around With Jim". I wasn't surprised it was his, but I hadn't thought of it.

There were two things that stuck out immediately as I read about the song.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Got_a_Name_(song) 

First is that it was rare for him to record songs written by other people. This one spoke to him and his relationship with his father, who had not lived to see his son's success (which apparently he did help fund, but more as a lesson or a long shot than as a show of confidence).

Maybe that hit a little close to home. 

In addition, the word "posthumously" stuck out.

That's when I read about the plane crash.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Croce 

Not only was I Got A Name a posthumous release that did really well, but You Don't Mess Around With Jim -- although it was already out -- did not go to number one until after he died.

It's not only that his father didn't really get to see his success, but neither did Jim. 

Some of the songs suddenly seemed more resonant, especially "Time in a Bottle".

"There never seems to be enough time to do the things you want to do once you find them."

It was more poignant learning that a letter he wrote just before he died told his wife (and songwriting partner) that he wanted to be done touring and do other things. 

I had just seen a post from his son because it was Jim Croce's birthday (his birthday was January 10th and I looked the song up on the 14th or 15th).

A.J. Croce was almost two when his father died.

That hit too.

It sounds like Ingrid kept Jim a presence in A.J.'s life, and he has toured playing his father's music (as well as making his own music), which I think must lead to some feelings of closeness, but it's sad.

For all of the pain we have now, we did have a lot of quality time with our mother.

Then, whatever you do get, you just have to do the best you can.