Ever Meet A Fellow By The Name Of Hill?

My wife and I both have family traditions including music. We each have our own favorite songs and albums that make Christmas just right. Both of our mothers had the good sense to send us to piano lessons. Both of our mothers were members of the church choir. Consequently, there was always music in the air of our homes.

My mom was always singing something. Her love for music translated into a way of life for our family. On long road trips, my parents would sing the soundtracks to musicals they saw together. If I remember correctly, my parents first date was to see the movie, Camelot. My mom loved musicals. Let's see how many I can remember watching with her, when I was a child: Oklahoma!, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, The King and I, The Music Man, The Sound of Music, West Side Story, Show Boat, Guys and Dolls, Fiddler on the Roof, South Pacific, Mary Poppins, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Chitty-Chitty Bang-Bang and the list goes on and on. If you were to throw out one of these names, I could likely sing you a song or two from the score. Conversely, I can tell you the musical that a song is from.

Some might bemoan the fact that their mom made them listen to such "boring" music. I won't. I don't think I knew anything other than what my parents exposed me to. I thank them for that. I think they gave me a healthy base upon which I was able to expand my appreciation for more musical genres.

Some of my fondest memories of childhood are musical memories. My mother would sing me to sleep almost every night. She would sing "Goodnight My Someone" from The Music Man. I still feel good every time I hear that song. Lately, that has become my song to sing to Lauren at night. I hope that her mother and I will be able to give Lauren a means to appreciate the beauty that music can bring to daily life. Music becomes a type of shorthand for memories. An entire year of your life can be recalled by one song on the radio. I hope that Lauren has a lifetime of good memories to set to music.