Flower gone

Today is not a day for talking about books. For those of you who may not have heard, Mary Travers, passed away today. You may not recognize her name but you would recognize her music. Mary Travers was a member of the folk group Peter, Paul, and Mary. They were an incredible set of folk singers from the sixties. Their music and messages did not end with the passing of that decade. They continued to make music over the next forty years, sometimes as a group but also as solo artists. They often sangs other songwriters songs make them even more popular than the original.

I have to admit that I was not alive when they first started making music in the early '60s. In fact, I would have only heard them for the first time after 1973 when I was born. I can claim that I have been listening to them since then. My parents have always enjoyed listening to music. My earliest memories are of my dad's turntable and reel-to-reel. I grew up listening to an eclectic mix of music. My father is a native Floridian and my mother is from England.

Peter, Paul, and Mary have always held a special place in my family. My father is not at all worried about singing along with the songs. We used to spend weekends around the house with hours and hours of music. It was all about the vinyl and the reel-to-reel tapes(later on the radio). My sister and I always picked out Peter, Paul, and Mary.

Favorite songs:
500 miles
Leaving on a jet plane
Stewball
Lemon tree
Puff the magic dragon
Where have all the flowers gone

...just to name a few.

Many a car trip has been spent singing their songs. This tradition has not ended with my parents or my generation. My nieces can easily sing most of the words to these songs and they are only 11 and 6. In fact, we were recently driving along and singing their songs. It did not matter that none of us really have great voices(We laugh. My sister called us "The Von Crapp Family Singers of Town and Country"), that's not what their music is about. Their music is for everyone. Of course I'm sure there are some negative people out there who may not admit they like some of their songs but I bet they at least know the words.

My family watched PPM on television every single chance we got. PBS is famous for having them on. We would sit and get teary. I think all of us thought about the passage of time. There is something about their songs that makes you reflect on the passage of time. Whether it is the passage from childhood to adulthood, the lost dreams of the sixties generation, or just life.

I got home from work today and heard a passing blip on the news about Mary's passing. Automatically my throat began to restrict and the tears started to come. We knew she had Leukemia(my mother also had it...she's clear though) but did not realize it had gotten worse. I could have sworn I saw they were touring just last year. My family kept saying, "When they next come to Tampa we are going."

My mother was one of the lucky ones who got to see them when she was young.

If you have a dream don't wait around and make excuses. Get out there and do the things you want to, before they pass you by.

We'll miss you Mary.