Sweet Memories from a Strawberry's Heart
April 20, 2008 marked 3 years since my Uncle Reggie passed away from a massive heart attack at the age of 56. He was playing his weekly golf game with his buddies when it happened.
My relationship with my Uncle really developed when my parents and I moved to Florida from Tennessee when I was 12. He became like a second father to me and I loved spending time at my Aunt and Uncle’s house, especially during the summer months.
“If you’re going to be hanging around here, you need to earn your keep,” I remember him saying to me with his eyebrows raised as I skipped around the house in my bathing suit, hoping to make it to the pool before he finished his sentence.
And by earning my keep, he meant ironing.
Boy, can I press a mean dress shirt and slacks! When I was little he used to pay me $.25 for short sleeves, $.50 for long sleeves and $1.00 for slacks.
I now find myself doing things to celebrate what he loved.
I really enjoy visiting the tree that was planted in his memory – such a perfect representation of him - a lover of nature and being one with it. I also ran a race for him last year because he used to be an avid runner when he was younger.
Today, I decided to create a little mix that I feel is quite the reflection of my Uncle Reggie and of my Aunt Diane for that matter. My Uncle loved bluegrass music. These are feel good, spiritual, mostly bluegrass songs, that at times make my lower lip quiver and give me goose bumps on the top of my shoulders when I hear them.
I tell you - for me - there’s nothing better than spending a Sunday morning with the windows open, breakfast cooking, and string-pluckin’ vibrations resonating in the house and pouring up to the heavens.
The Old Church Yard – The Peasall Sisters
We Shall Be Reunited – Doc Watson
Gospel Ship – Joan Baez
I Shall Be Released – The Band
Angel Band – Ralph Stanley
Pilgrim – Steve Earle with The Del McCoury Band*
Daddy Sang Bass – Johnny Cash
Take ‘Em Away - Old Crow Medicine Show
Wildwood Flower – Randy Scruggs & Emmylou Harris
Amazing Grace – Jerry Garcia
*BTreotch first showed me this song and I never got to thank him for that. This is truly my Uncle's song. I played it for him when I visited his tree last year for his birthday.
My relationship with my Uncle really developed when my parents and I moved to Florida from Tennessee when I was 12. He became like a second father to me and I loved spending time at my Aunt and Uncle’s house, especially during the summer months.
“If you’re going to be hanging around here, you need to earn your keep,” I remember him saying to me with his eyebrows raised as I skipped around the house in my bathing suit, hoping to make it to the pool before he finished his sentence.
And by earning my keep, he meant ironing.
Boy, can I press a mean dress shirt and slacks! When I was little he used to pay me $.25 for short sleeves, $.50 for long sleeves and $1.00 for slacks.
I now find myself doing things to celebrate what he loved.
I really enjoy visiting the tree that was planted in his memory – such a perfect representation of him - a lover of nature and being one with it. I also ran a race for him last year because he used to be an avid runner when he was younger.
Today, I decided to create a little mix that I feel is quite the reflection of my Uncle Reggie and of my Aunt Diane for that matter. My Uncle loved bluegrass music. These are feel good, spiritual, mostly bluegrass songs, that at times make my lower lip quiver and give me goose bumps on the top of my shoulders when I hear them.
I tell you - for me - there’s nothing better than spending a Sunday morning with the windows open, breakfast cooking, and string-pluckin’ vibrations resonating in the house and pouring up to the heavens.
We Shall Be Reunited – Doc Watson
Gospel Ship – Joan Baez
I Shall Be Released – The Band
Angel Band – Ralph Stanley
Pilgrim – Steve Earle with The Del McCoury Band*
Daddy Sang Bass – Johnny Cash
Take ‘Em Away - Old Crow Medicine Show
Wildwood Flower – Randy Scruggs & Emmylou Harris
Amazing Grace – Jerry Garcia
*BTreotch first showed me this song and I never got to thank him for that. This is truly my Uncle's song. I played it for him when I visited his tree last year for his birthday.
Comments
and, I'd never heard JG's Amazing Grace