A wake-up call I would say, a little brush with death. Soon as got out after spending 5 days in the hospital 'cause of a severely infected cellulitis in my left leg, I thought the best thing an old crazy semi-recluse like me should do something significant before I kick the bucket. Then it came to me, I gotta leave something my wife and kids will remember me by.
Songs and singers. I started to download songs day after day, over 4,000 songs by various artists. Since I spend 14 hours a day at the store I listened to them one by one, chose the best ones and my favorites and created playlists. Songs I like to listen to and most of all songs I dedicate to my wife, to remind her of me and the good times we've had together. And then the best from each artist, rhythm in blues, ballads, country songs, OPM hits, Christmas songs and some rock and roll.
The story behind the songs. I love to listen to music and keep tab of the lyrics. My Way was composed by Paul Anka for supposedly a farewell performance for Frank Sinatra, but which instead pushed his career to greater heights. Vincent was inspired by the life of painter Vincent Van Gogh whom Don McLean admired. Tears in Heaven was dedicated to the passing of Eric Clapton's 7 year old kid who died in an accident. We Are the World united the biggest music stars to join hand in hand to help the people of Africa. And an urban legend tells of a dying man who wrote the lyrics of the song, "Softly as I Leave You" as a farewell note to his wife as felt life slipping away.
As for me ... I just like to make a dramatic exit, if ever. At 60, each day is a bonus and if given a few more years I would like to write my life story. All the knowledge I gathered from reading books, watching movies and documentaries, listening to people and watching the world go by, and maybe like Van Gogh ...
" To write about the things I saw that other people
did not saw the way I saw them. "
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