A Song in My Heart

If everyone started off the day singing, just think how happy they'd be.
                                                                                    from Shine
                                                                           by Lauren Myracle     
       People are still remembering Frank Sinatra, even a couple of days past what would have been his 100th birthday (this past Saturday).
       When he was in the army, my dad almost met Frank Sinatra. The story goes, one of his buddies knew someone who knew someone on the set of the latest movie Frank was in. The friend of the buddy was supposed to be able to bring the soldiers backstage. They all met at the right time in the right place, but no Frank. My dad was disappointed about that for the rest of his life, but not bitter or angry..
       My dad had a beautiful tenor voice. He played the banjo, too. He was young way before garage bands were popular, but I bet he wouldn't have had one even if he grew up in the 50’s and 60’s instead of the 20’s and 30’s.      
      When I was growing up, we’d watch “Sing Along With Mitch” every week. I’d follow the little bouncing ball when I wasn’t quite sure what the words were or how they fit into the melody. My dad didn’t need to follow the bouncing ball to get the words in the right places. He just knew.
       He liked polka music. I do too. He liked the old show tunes and the new ones, too. So do I. He sometimes sang when we went on car trips. I love to sing in the car.
       Nancy Sinatra sang duets with her father. Natalie Cole could sing with her father because of the magic of recording and technology. I'm the only one who hears my dad’s voice, singing with me these last 32 years and one day. I’m listening, Daddy.  I miss you.
                                                                   --stay curious!