"See the Wet-Head by the Sea"

I have been driving Chris to the Norristown or Conshohocken train stations on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings. He controls what we listen to for these trips. Some days we listen to one of the All Bones Considered podcasts that are written and produced by our friend Joe Lex, one of my fellow Laurel Hill Cemetery tour guides. Some days we listen to a set of Chris’ favorite songs.

Today we listened to tunes, including Bob Dylan’s “Mr. Tambourine Man”. I don’t remember the specifics, it’s one of the first songs I knew, thanks to the copy of Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits that Mom gave Dad – at least I think Mom gave it to him – when I was barely in school. While I have no solid evidence to back this up, I have a strong feeling that hearing all the words pour out of Dylan’s mouth led to my lifelong love affair with words. Even though I heard at least one line wrong – no, five-year-old Richie, he’s not singing “See the wet-head by the sea” – the words entranced me and never let go.

I am grateful and happy that my parents shared the gift of words and music with me way back when. And I’m so glad I’ve gotten to share those gifts with Jimmy and Chris.

~217~