A Trip Down Memory Lane
Gold + Grain Photography
As we were driving to the kid’s swimming lessons, we were listening to an old 1950s rock and roll CD I have in the car. It’s a random collection of songs that I had “burned” for my grandparents when I was in high school. I’m sure I just aged myself with that statement…perhaps some of you don’t even know what “burned a cd” means—oh, those were the days. The drive mixed with the songs brought back memories of road trips with my grandparents to McCracken, KS. If you don’t know where that is, don’t worry, as of 2021 the town had a population of 154. However, my great-aunt used to live there, and we would visit in the summer. Singing the Big Bopper’s “Chantilly Lace” at the top of our lungs and stopping at Dairy Queen for chili dogs and Heath blizzards without a care in the world.
As the scenes passed the window as quickly as my array of memories, I started to think about each of the singers we were listening to. About how they all had big dreams and audacious goals. Wondering if anyone might listen to their music. Playing in high school auditoriums hoping to be on the radio someday—not knowing that their talent would be enjoyed long after they were gone. You just never know how far your ripple effect will reach. That’s what we are all searching for in life, isn’t it? To feel as though we have a purpose. To be able to share our gifts, whatever they might be, with the world. The Big Bopper, Fats Domino, and Buddy Holly just to name a few, are all tied to so many of my memories from growing up and they have no idea. Now as my kids sing along, I have even more love for the simple melodies and the artists that performed them.
With every “Peggy Sue” and “Yakety Yak”, I picture a black and white photo of a young man beaming with hope. A young man wishing to someday have an inspiring music career. I picture my grandpa laughing—almost clear enough to hear it. I recall all the moments those songs have had a part in. From making forever friends on a bus ride home in fourth grade, singing “Hello Baby, yeah this is the Big Bopper Speakin’…” as proudly as can be to closing the dance floor with my grandpa the night he won the League of Saint Maur Award. With every “twist and shout” hoping with everything in me that our dance moves would somehow spin that Alzheimer’s diagnosis and noticeable memory decline right out the door. Of course, the songs weren’t powerful enough to do that, but they were so ingrained in all our minds that if a song started playing, he would dance. And you would almost forget that he had something that was going to make him forget everything…almost. Now to see the joy and excitement of my children kicking their feet in their car seats to the beat is something quite serendipitous. The soundtrack of my life through the notes on a line, ready to turn the page of sheet music for my next moment of joy and wonder.
I’ll leave you with this quote from Rebecca Solnit (an American writer), “Every minute of every hour of every day you are making the world, just as you are making yourself, and you might as well do it with generosity and kindness and style.” I hope you realize that you are making an impact on someone—maybe not through decades of music tied to memories, but you have a light. Let it shine.
My grandpa, John Flynn.
Have a wonderful weekend and as always, happy reading.
