This post gives me all the feels - the cringe and joy at remembering eighth grade dances, the need for a parent's interest and undivided time, and appreciation for your continued show of courage in sharing your inner self with us.
Another “winner,” Jill. I appreciate your recalling that shared moment 30-something years ago in your room back in Minnesota. And to be fair, you. Dawn and Lara were force-fed a huge helping of music from my life’s playlist during our family road trips when cassettes were the rage—artists like Peter, Paul & Mary and John Denver.
I didn’t have a play list in junior high—because that required owning a record player, LPs and ‘45s’—and those came later for me when I went to college. But the music of that 1958-‘61 junior high period for me was organized by WBOW AM radio in Terre Haute, Indiana. It worked. And perhaps it’s significant that when it came to choosing the title for my personal essay about getting together with your mom in the late 1960s, I reached back to one of those junior high “play list” favorites—Buddy Holly’s “True Love Ways.” It’s a treasure for me.
Thanks too for your tribute to mom on her 78th. She is certainly one of a kind—and a treasure in her own right. ❤️
I really appreciate the lesson to follow your child's passions. When called over to a drawing or a video, I will dive in no matter the topic. That said, this helps ensure I always do so; there are busy days that need this reminder. I also loved the play list! Also being from a pretty white suburb, I think Young MC's "Bust a Move" (which is fantastic) was one of the few songs to break through our DJ list.
Amazing what we remember from those early days. I didn't have an 8th grade dance but I'm curious now to explore what my 'playlist' would have been if we'd had that rather than transistor radios. Thanks for the memories!
Thanks for your comment--and for subscribing. One of the unexpected benefits of this newsletter is that I'm discovering so many other midlife kindred spirits. Congratulations on your memoir, and I will definitely give it a read.
I'm loving finding kindreds, too. I just began my own Substack last week, and in the "connect" section on the bottom right, you can see links to my book, coaching, art, etc... I'd love to stay connected. Have a beautiful week!
This post gives me all the feels - the cringe and joy at remembering eighth grade dances, the need for a parent's interest and undivided time, and appreciation for your continued show of courage in sharing your inner self with us.
Another “winner,” Jill. I appreciate your recalling that shared moment 30-something years ago in your room back in Minnesota. And to be fair, you. Dawn and Lara were force-fed a huge helping of music from my life’s playlist during our family road trips when cassettes were the rage—artists like Peter, Paul & Mary and John Denver.
I didn’t have a play list in junior high—because that required owning a record player, LPs and ‘45s’—and those came later for me when I went to college. But the music of that 1958-‘61 junior high period for me was organized by WBOW AM radio in Terre Haute, Indiana. It worked. And perhaps it’s significant that when it came to choosing the title for my personal essay about getting together with your mom in the late 1960s, I reached back to one of those junior high “play list” favorites—Buddy Holly’s “True Love Ways.” It’s a treasure for me.
Thanks too for your tribute to mom on her 78th. She is certainly one of a kind—and a treasure in her own right. ❤️
Keep up the good writing, Jill! 👏
I really appreciate the lesson to follow your child's passions. When called over to a drawing or a video, I will dive in no matter the topic. That said, this helps ensure I always do so; there are busy days that need this reminder. I also loved the play list! Also being from a pretty white suburb, I think Young MC's "Bust a Move" (which is fantastic) was one of the few songs to break through our DJ list.
Bust a Move! I remember that too. Definitely one for my 80s hip hop playlist!
Also... Funky Cold Medina!!
Amazing what we remember from those early days. I didn't have an 8th grade dance but I'm curious now to explore what my 'playlist' would have been if we'd had that rather than transistor radios. Thanks for the memories!
Love this! And I so relate to the music and the feeling of the 8th grade dances! You might enjoy my book, Midlife Emergence... https://a.co/h5UDU4Y
Thanks for your comment--and for subscribing. One of the unexpected benefits of this newsletter is that I'm discovering so many other midlife kindred spirits. Congratulations on your memoir, and I will definitely give it a read.
I'm loving finding kindreds, too. I just began my own Substack last week, and in the "connect" section on the bottom right, you can see links to my book, coaching, art, etc... I'd love to stay connected. Have a beautiful week!
Such a wonderful post...thank you Jill for sharing this memory, and especially thank you for the lovely tribute to your mom!