There are a few mysteries from my childhood left. As I get older, my mother tells me more and more stories of what my baby years were like.
I love hearing how my middle brother used to drive half an hour from where he lived (after work) just to rock me to sleep. As soon as I’d fallen asleep, he’d drive back home. He did this almost daily according to my mom. This same brother also walked around with his hands over my little 2-year-old ears to avoid getting hurt by the loud noises at Universal Studios Hollywood the first time they took me.
While I’ve heard stories like those most of my life, there was one mystery I always wondered about: where did I get my love of classical music from?
I remember growing up with everything from Motown and oldies (my mom’s preferences) to Perez Prado and Billy Vaughn (dad’s choices). I think I got my love of jazz from watching Mister Roger’s Neighborhood growing up. Everything else, I can trace to either listening to it on the radio or having it introduced to me by a family member or at school. But there was one genre that has stood the test of time: classical music.
Even before I was introduced to it at school and before hearing the PBS Masterpiece Theater theme song, I loved classical music. In fact, I remember that the first cassette (yes, I’m that old, lol) I ever purchased with my own money was one of Beethoven’s greatest compositions. I was in elementary school and I remember going to Target with my dad to get it. I think the first CDs I ever got were also a compilation of the 100 greatest classical music pieces. But, still, I couldn’t figure out where my love of the genre came from… until my mom gave me the answer on Monday night.
i forgot what exactly we were talking about that led to the topic but I remember sitting on my daybed and being completely surprised by what my mother had said.
“Oh, yeah, your dad used to turn on the little radio in your room — much like the one you have now — and putting on classical music to help lull you to sleep when you were a baby. He didn’t turn it off until you were fast asleep.”
In my *age redacted* years of life, I had never heard about how my father used to do that. I knew he took the graveyard shift so that my mom could work during the day and stay with me at night. I knew he took care of me during the day after I was physically hurt by a babysitter when I was a baby. I knew he was the one who basically raised me while my mom worked. I remember other things but I had never known about the classical music thing.
Having it be between the anniversary of his passing (July 11th) and the anniversary of his funeral (July 22nd), it felt like I’d received a gift from him. It took 13 years after his passing but I got it. I’m actually tearing up just thinking about the timing of it.
I always say that music is my love language because it’s been the one constant thing in my life. It’s where I get comfort during trials. It’s how I can express myself when words fail. I have very strong memories attached to certain songs and music triggers more vivid, detailed memories than any other sense. By far. You’re looking for a song, an artist, etc recommendation? This music nerd has you covered. As you can probably surmise, finding out where my love of classical music — which is, along with jazz, my favorite genre — came from is a big deal to me. And knowing that it was my father — the parent I always felt closest to — is just the cherry on top.
Ever since I got my little portable radio, it’s been tuned into Classical KUSC. I don’t listen to any other station on it. It’s been my favorite radio local radio station for as long as I can remember… and I think it’s the same station my father tuned into to help me fall asleep. It’s actually on right now as I type this; I like to start my mornings with it on as I have breakfast and start my day.
Anyway, this is not really faith or Catholicism related but I’m writing for friends at this point and I wanted to share this with y’all.
I took a little break between reading today’s portion of the Holy Rule of St. Benedict and praying Terce to write this. I have a couple of minutes before I have to pray Terce so I’ll just be this entry here.
Please pray for my continued healing; the doctor told me I have a couple more weeks (!!!) of wound care to do. At the ER. Every 2-3 days. With my immune system in a not-so-great state. Lord have mercy on me and protect me from getting sick from another thing while I’m there.
I hope y’all are doing well!
As always, thanks for reading and God bless!
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