Dear Reader:

Yesterday’s blog brought back many memories for some of our readers who responded by telling me their connection to the song “I Love You a Bushel and a Peck and a Hug Around the Neck.”

…And in both of the following two responses…it wasn’t a “mother, grandmother, or aunt” singing or humming the melody…but a father. Interesting.

“My dad was in a production of Guys and Dolls when I Was Young and he would sing this song around the house.” Karyn Smith

Patricia Finley: “My daddy used to tell me that saying – such fond memories.”

Music is such a powerful force in pulling up memories we thought were long forgotten. When we hear the song…the music takes us right back to the place, year, and circumstances while the music played… and still plays in our hearts.

Perhaps it was a “special” song between you and a loved one at the time, a song sung by a parent to you, or song that inspired you to take risks at a certain point in life.

When I think of “Memories” and “The Way We Were” I remember thinking (as only a young 20 something could)…that no one on earth should be allowed to die before seeing this movie. (I think I meant before seeing Robert Redford at his hunkiness.) I would cry and cry and then stay and watch it again. (the good old days when they didn’t turn on the lights and shoo you out.)

As if on cue…just as I was gathering material for this blog…I noticed that Libby had forwarded a message to me that she had received from Betsy (her daughter) on her birthday yesterday. Libby had put a picture of her and “Oot” (her late husband) holding Betsy soon after her birth on Facebook for Betsy’s birthday, along with a sweet message.

The picture and message touched Betsy so much…but the story doesn’t end there. Here is the message she sent her mom, Libby.