If you’ve paid any attention to me at all these past few years, you may know why Through The Years is on my list. This should have been the song to which I’d have danced the mother-son dance at my wedding. In theory. In my fantastical daydreams. My mother loved the silken voice of this Country legend, so much so that I endured the twang and took her to see him play live in Westbury so many years ago. From that concert, I have a very distinct memory: the moment his band began to play this song, my little mother held my hand. I mean, come on. Not a dry eye in the house, I know. Certainly not in *this* house. So, yeah, it’s a love song, I get that. But the message will always speak to me about all the things she ever gave me, and how we got through so many shitty times together, not the least of which were the deaths of my dad or my Aunt Annie or our beloved Mary. We were stronger together at faking it till we made it. It’s difficult to talk about this song too much without losing my shit. When I assist Chris on weddings and watch the groom inevitably dance with his mom, I am always reminded of the blaring truth that this will not ever happen for me. Soo....
From the historical writing archive. Original date: November 27, 2018. Recovered from local source material; editorial review is still in progress.
