Remembering ~~~

A Haibun I composed in 2021 ~~ 

A bit of family history is in order …. Mother couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket and, I’m embarrassed to say, my sisters and I sometimes told her so. Daddy could play any instrument handed to him. He delighted us at the piano, played “by ear” whatever tune we requested. He had a lovely voice and perfect pitch. I inherited my father’s musical ability ... his innate desire to perform. He passed away when I was sixteen going on seventeen.

From an early age, music was part of our family reality, I learned to read music at nine, harmonized at ten, directed a church ‘junior’ choir at thirteen, I was a ‘ham’ who loved performing. { No doubt I shared a “smell of the greasepaint, roar of the crowd" thing with my Dad. } 

I played flute in school bands from fourth grade into high school, won tons of medals, sang in school choirs, gigs onstage with my gal-pal trio, you name it, I did it. Daddy kept his emotions 'close to the vest' but I know he was thrilled I had inherited his musical ability. We didn't have much time ~

remembering him

his enduring influence   

thankful for his gifts

Music, Music, Music!

 Though he never had a lesson, a coach, a tutor.. my Dad was the consummate showman. He could sing, dance, mime, play any instrument placed in his hands .. by ear. OH yes, he also knew how to fly a plane. 

He passed away when I was sixteen going on seventeen. My sisters were fifteen and eleven. My mother, thirty-five. His death was sudden, we were traumatized. Somehow with the support of family, we survived, and eventually thrived. 

We were a musical trio of sisters. Singing,  playing instruments (flute, clarinet, oboe) .. I might add here, our talent was passed down from our Dad .. (Mother readily admitted she could not carry a tune in a bucket.) We learned how to harmonize to "perform" in our car on drives with our parents. I can still see Daddy smiling broadly as he watched in the rear view mirror .. barely able to contain his pride. Teresa Brewer, the Andrew Sisters, the McGuire Sisters influenced every nuance of our musical personas.   

Today all these decades later, I remember him with love, respect, gratitude and enormous pride .. I am my father's daughter.

missing you today

thankful for the years we had

countless gifts you shared