I was watching a program on my local PBS station the other evening. It was definitely not new; a few performers I recognized as having left us more than a few years back, but, it was a popular show, regularly brought out during their beg-a-thons. I put it on while making dinner, thinking that I’d change to something else once Shelby and I settled in for the evening. No such luck!
The show featured music from the fifties and early sixties sung by some of the artists who made those songs popular. It was a great program with many outstanding performances, showing that age doesn’t necessarily slow down everyone. Or maybe it is true that music keeps you young. Occasionally, the camera would pan the audience and you’d see seniors grinning, eyes pointed to the person seated next to them. Some were with young people, probably grandkids, but many seated next to significant others.
A lot of the older couples were holding hands, grins spread across their faces, and eyes that shone. A few hankies were visible. They were not sharing music, they were sharing their lives and their long ago dreams. It didn’t take much to picture these couples slow dancing to Sarah Vaughan’s EMBRACEABLE YOU, snuggling close to UNCHAINED MELODY, or looking into each other’s eyes as Elvis serenaded them with LOVE ME TENDER. Jerry and I related to the Everly Brothers ‘song, WAKE UP LITTLE SUSIE, after falling asleep at a drive-in movie theater and trying to explain to my parents why we were hours late getting me home.
Some time memories of certain songs had different meanings to us. Take for example; I’M SO LONELY I COULD CRY and HEARTBRAKE HOTEL. Neither song would encourage smiles but I’m sure many would be a story to tell. JAILHOUSE ROCK might bring up some interesting recollections. I have this picture in my head of an older man, a grandfather, who is a retired executive, living well off his pension and investments. He laughs when he hears Harry Belafonte’s BANANA BOAT SONG, remembering that he felt the same way when he was so young, doing the bottom of the ladder grunt work for the company he eventually ran.
We may not always remember where we placed our glasses a few moments ago, but we have a tendency to remember our first kiss, our first attempt at riding a bicycle without the training wheels, or maybe, our first real friend. Memories may not always be good ones but they all have a place in our lives. Our past impacts our future. Today’s decisions may be based on decisions we’ve made in our past. Do we repeat those decisions or, have maturity and experience taught us to learn from our mistakes?
Live today to the fullest but don’t be afraid to look back. Remember that by tomorrow, today will be already a memory. Make some good ones!!!
All the best for a happy and exciting New Year
Sharon