My theme is Musical Memories: The Memories that music brings rushing back.
It was the early 70's. Just a few years until we'd realize Daddy had colon cancer. I was an adolescent. And Daddy was taking me - just me - to the first and only concert in our little town in S.E. Texas that a true celebrity ever gave. That I have ever known of anyway.
It was held in our Jr. High auditorium. Daddy was very excited about the concert. I was very excited to be Daddy's date. Ernest Tubb and his Texas Troubadours, known for many country music tunes and the readily recognizable "Waltz Across Texas", "Walking the Floor Over You", and the "Wabash Cannonball".
The curtain came up on E.T. and his band and they were all in tailored western suits, western ties and cowboy hats. The room was packed and they played a steady stream of foot-stomping country ballads and honky-tonk style tunes.
After the show, everyone was invited and encouraged by Tubb to stay and visit out front, in the lobby. Daddy hung back, and as the crowd thinned out, he stepped up to Tubb. They spoke and visited and slapped backs and laughed. Daddy introduced me to him and he hugged me. Daddy bought a photo and he autographed it. The way they carried on, you'd think they were old friends. Were they? I have no idea. I never thought to ask Daddy.
Did I enjoy the night? Very much. Did I realize what an honor I had at the time? Not at all.
Years later, Daddy was gone and I was in college at SFA in Nacogdoches. There were two tunes you'd hear wafting through Griffin Hall all day and all night: "Loving, Touching, Squeezing" by Journey and "Waltz Across Texas" by Ernest Tubb.
A few more years pass by and I'm cleaning out the house.(Pete & I lived in Mama & Daddy's old house.) I was burning things I'd hauled out in a trash barrel outside. Too late, I realized that autographed picture was in the fire by mistake. I grabbed it out, but half was already gone, so I just let it drop back into the barrel. Gone. Just like Mama and Daddy. Just gone. Alive and real only in my memories, only in me, and living on in my children.
Did you ever do something with a parent you failed to realize the significance of at the time?
Every lose a cherished memento?
Ever have a special date night with your daddy or mama?
What a special time with your dad, Barbara. Sorry the autographed picture did not survive from the night of the time together with him. My dad died when I was so young, so no memories of him. However, my mom and me enjoyed our times together playing Bingo, LOL, and even when I was married and on my own when she came to visit, we always tried to find a place that we could indulge together
ReplyDeletebetty
Makes me grateful I had my Dad until I was 15. I used to take our Sorority's Adopted Grandmother to Bingo at the Mason's Hall.
DeleteIt's such a sweet memory, but so sad too because it was so close to the loss of your father.
ReplyDeleteI have memories like that too, but more often than not, I don't even have mementos. Just keep it all alive and fresh in my mind.
Yes, my mind is where most of mine are, too. One big reason why I blog. I'm saving the memories for me and my children and little Hazil Ruth, my granddaughter.
DeleteThat is a lovely memory to have - I think as children we often don't realise the significance of events until afterwards. Hazel was the mother of a family friend, but she was also like an adopted grandma to me, and when my family used to holiday down in the seaside town where she lived, she used to take me and my twin sister, Tasha, out on excursions that the adults didn't want to go on. She was wonderful and sweet, and unfortunately due to a split with the friend whose mother she was, I didn't get to say goodbye when she passed. I still miss her, she was a truly lovely person.
ReplyDeleteSophie
Sophie's Thoughts & Fumbles
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Oh, every child/teen needs someone in their life that lets them do some of the things their parents don't want them too! Well, all except my kids of course! LOL Sorry you didn't get to have your goodbye. Perhaps you'll have a great big "hello" reunion in Heaven one day.
DeleteEvery time since my father passed away, is a special time with my mother... as now I know that life is important and short. Always tell that someone you love them, it might be the last time you see them... though not everyone cause the mail person might take it wrong...
ReplyDeleteWelcome in the letter "D"... thank you!
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DeleteThat's a lovely memory :) I have always had poor recollection of past events, but when I was older, 26, and going through the end of my first marriage I went to Italy to see my grandparents with my dad. It was so lovely having that time with him. I think because I have such a crap memory is why I love taking photographs, writing diaries, and scrapbooking!
ReplyDeleteAt least you know how to preserve it for yourself! And that's one reason I blog. In case one day my memory fails me, I'll have many of the memories here.
DeleteWhat a lovely story about your dad! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteKim from Drunk on Life visiting from the A-to-Z Challenge
Thank you, Kim and thanks for visiting!
DeleteA nice memory and nothing better then with country music.
ReplyDeleteHere at the house, every radio is set on 97.1 out of Houston, the Country Classics.
DeleteI'm so sorry you burned the photo! You still have the memory. Wow, a band that wanted to hang out and meet the fans. That is an amazing thing.
ReplyDeleteYep, Tubb was from a different era and in that era country stars tended to share their lives with their fans.
DeleteI had a box of my favorite memories that was "lost" by my ex-husband. I still think about those things. It's funny how you tie a memory to something tangible.
ReplyDeleteYes, it would be nice to still have my photo. I'd have it framed in my house today if I did.
DeleteI gotta feeling that your right, good memories are unforgettable. How about we become GFC bloggie friends?
ReplyDeleteSounds nice Spacerguy!
DeleteYou have cherished memories and you should write them down for your own family. I recall I got rid of something once because I didn't look at all the papers. I now go through everything. I have happy memories of going with my dad in the bush when he would scale timber to be cut(he was a lumberman and we owned a sawmill). I also remember going with my mom, all dressed up, to play tourist in Niagara Falls. Special times
ReplyDeleteNice memories with you parents! Many loggers in my area, as we are the white pine capital of the world.
DeleteAs you tell it was a nice unforgettable concert!
ReplyDeleteYes, it was! Thank you for visiting Caneyhead.
DeleteYes, I had a special date with my Dad once in Atlanta, just us two and I loved it. I lost a ring my mother gave me that had been my grandmothers. I cried like a baby. One of those, hide it in a place where it wouldn't be found easily, only to forget where that place was, thing... Thanks for dropping by my blog and commenting... Lisa, co-host AtoZ 2015, @ http://www.lisabuiecollard.com
ReplyDeleteOh, how sweet! Daddy was trying to mend his little girls heart.
Deletesuch a sweet memory. Very nice
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joanne.
DeleteI didn't lose a special memento, but my older sister did. My mother moved out of the apartment we grew up in while my sister and I lived in different states. I had put all my cherished childhood treasures into a box that I could tell my mother to ship out. My highly unorganized sister didn't have a box, so my mother threw out her room -- her entire childhood. I don't know why, but I actually think about it a lot. My sister says it's no big deal, but I can feel that's a bit of a lie. It bothers me for her.
ReplyDeleteYou can find me at:
ClarabelleRant
That is rather sad, but I suppose your mother had put up with her unorganized things for years. And actually, it probably doesn't bother your sister as much as it would have you. I don't think I could do that. I'd have to save a few things that I thought was special for them. Of course, that might not turn out to be what they cherished most.
DeleteWhat a special memory. I do remember a few times when I was little that my dad got tickets for a wrestling match and my brothers didn't want to go so my older sister and I went with him. It was a special outing for us and I cannot remember it ever having happened again. I think I was around 5 and my sister would have been 6. It was kind of funny too because there were only men around us and my sister and I got special attention from all of them. If I remember correctly someone bought us snacks!
ReplyDeleteGreat memory! Daddy got injured once and ran a pool hall while his leg healed. Sometimes he'd take little me there, to show me off. And the men would buy me snacks!
DeleteI make special date nights for my daughter so she can have fond memories like the one you shared!
ReplyDeleteThat's great Mike! A little girl's first true love is her Daddy.
DeleteThat is a special memory for you! I have no special "happy" memories of my dad and my mom was too busy raising 5 kids all alone to make these kinds of memories. We did always sing when we were in the car. And just before my husband died in July, I lost the diamond from my engagement ring. A special memento that I will never be able to replace!
ReplyDeleteSmidgen Snippets & Bits
Oh, my! I bet your mom was extremely busy! But good you have those happy memories in the car. Sorry about your diamond. I know that was hard. Fortunately you still have the memories that went with it.
DeleteWhen I was about 4, I wanted my dad to take me out to dinner. Just me. I wanted to go to Smak's, which was a local hamburger chain in Kansas City. What a lovely memory you have of the concert with your dad.
ReplyDeleteI was all about the burgers at that age myself.
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