A song that reminds you of someone
There’s two songs that I now associate with my grandparents, because they were played at their funerals.
First – a bit of backstory. I lived with my maternal grandparents for a number of years. They lived in Penrith (where I was born – can I just say, having seen some VoxPops of the venerable people of the federal electorate of Lindsay, that I’m a little ashamed of being from Penrith right now – really, you think boat people are THAT big an issue?). Anyway, grandparents lived in Penrith, family in Canberra but I was going to teacher’s college in Castle Hill (north of Parramatta).
So I moved in with Grandma and Grandad and lived there for the three years of college. Upon getting a job I moved out, but only lasted a year – I was woefully unprepared for the maturity required to set up my own home. So I moved back with them for another year before I was finally able to step out into the world. This all meant I got to know my grandparents not just as folks to visit and get lotsa lollies from, but as adult to adult.
They were remarkable people. The first people I’d really gotten to know with a capacity for unconditional love – they knew us all, knew all our faults and weaknesses, and yet would love and support us to the end. They were funny and sweet (although we had to agree to disagree on the Doug Anthony Allstars).
Grandad died early 1998, Grandma in mid 1999. I still miss them dreadfully.
So, Grandad’s song – Wing Beneath My Wings. I know a lot of you have just spat coffee over the keyboard cause it is a terrible song – too overused, particularly at funerals. Yet it perfect summed up how I felt about my grandfather, who was the one who would rush to my aid, who would demand more of me then I thought I could give, who saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. So ptooey to you all.
Grandma’s song – I’ll take you home again Kathleen. Her name was Kathleen. This was Grandad’s favourite song and it was played at both their funerals. The two of them were still madly in love when Grandad passed away, after more than fifty years of marriage. Inspirational
Day 01 - Your favourite song
Day 02 - A song that makes you happy
Day 03 - A song that makes you sad
Day 04 - A song that reminds you of someone
Day 05 - A song that reminds of you of somewhere
Day 06 - A song that reminds you of a certain event
Day 07 - A song that you can dance to
Day 08 - A song that makes you fall asleep
Day 09 - A song from your favourite band
Day 10 - A song that no one would expect you to love
Day 11 - A song that describes you
Day 12 - A song from your favourite album
Day 13 - A song that you listen to when you’re angry
Day 14 - A song that you listen to when you’re happy
Day 15 - A song that you listen to when you’re sad
Day 16 - A song that you want to play at your wedding
Day 17 - A song that you want to play at your funeral
Day 18 - A song that makes you laugh