Life – Roots & Leaves

Stories from family life, music memories, and the generational journey

Last night at Target, as I worked through my usual shift, my thoughts drifted to Andrew, Meaghan, and little Oliver and the perilous but wonderful journey of parenthood they’ve begun.

We’ve taken that trip four times—maybe we’re still on it—and somehow, I think we’ve done pretty well so far. But raising kids isn’t easy. There are so many opportunities to say the wrong thing or take the wrong action. All you can do is:

• Keep them safe
• Guide them toward strong moral character
• Love them unconditionally

I used to tell my kids, “You know what’s right and what’s wrong—so do the right thing!”
And through every mistake and misstep, one truth never changed: you may not like every choice they make, but you never stop loving them.

So to Andrew and Meaghan, I say: Good luck! I know you already know the right things to do to create a loving and nurturing environment for Oliver. Beyond that… you hope, you guide, and you love.

Roots – Songs That Shaped My Parenting Journey

Certain songs have been with me through every stage of this journey. They’re part of my life’s roots—reminding me what it meant to be a child, a parent, and now a grandparent.

1. The Younger Generation – John Sebastian / The Lovin’ Spoonful
Back in college, a little rebellious, this song always made me stop and think about life from the parent’s side.

2. Father and Son – Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam)
By the mid‑70s, this song felt like my own inner dialogue—remembering my father’s words while thinking about my own kids.

3. Child’s Song – Tom Rush
As my kids grew, this song became the soundtrack to letting go, trusting that the roots we gave them were enough.

Leaves Update – 11 Years Later

Time flies. That tiny little Oliver I wrote about back then?
– He’s now 11 years old,
– Taller than his mom,
– And quickly catching up to his dad!

And you know what? Andrew and Meaghan have done a wonderful job.
The advice, hopes, and songs I shared all those years ago seem to have taken root—watching Oliver grow into the next branch of our family tree has been pure joy.

Another Leaf – “Child’s Song” in Real Life

Thinking back, Child’s Song wasn’t just an abstract lyric for us.
When we dropped Andrew off at Kean University, our first to leave home for college, I cued up Tom Rush’s Child’s Song in the car.

Halfway through, my usually stoic wife turned to me and said,
“Please… turn that off.”

And she was right.
– That song hits differently when the moment is real.
– Letting go is never easy, even when you know it’s the right thing.

It’s one of those moments where music stops being just a song and becomes the soundtrack to life—painful, beautiful, and unforgettable.

🌱 Life grows in roots and leaves.
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What stuck, what faded, and the thrill of the hunt

Back in [Year of Original Trip], my son Nick and I made a trip to the Princeton Record Exchange.
Nick had a gift certificate from his brother Andrew and some birthday cash from us.
We both came home with a boatload of CDs.
As usual, my picks fell into three categories:

• Known and liked
• Heard the name, not the music
• Complete unknowns

Looking back now, years later, here’s what stuck with me and what didn’t.

🎵 Known and Liked (The Safe Bets)

1. Mary Gauthier – Between Daylight and Dark
   A great songwriter with a gift for capturing the Southern sense of place.
   This one stuck—I still return to her songs, especially after rediscovering The Foundling.
2. Jeffrey Foucault – Ghost Repeater (2006)
   Produced by Bo Ramsey, this album still hits.
   The title track became a quiet favorite over time.
3. Grayson Capps – Wail & Ride
   I loved his storytelling and post-Katrina New Orleans vibe.
   “Can’t Find My Way” became one of the lasting tracks from this haul.
4. Milt Jackson – The Harem (1991)
   At the time, I hadn’t spun it yet—but this lineup (Jimmy Heath, James Moody, Cedar Walton, Kenny Washington, Bob Cranshaw) is hard to beat.
   It ended up sticking as a late-night jazz favorite.
5. Greg Trooper – Floating (2003)
   Greg has always been a favorite.
   I still smile thinking about “Muhammad Ali (The Meaning of Christmas)”—a track Steve Earle said he went home and learned after first hearing it.

🎧 Heard the Name, Not the Music

6. Walter Parks – [Album Name, 2009]
   At the time, I was curious. His tremolo guitar and swampy Americana sounded promising.
   It didn’t become a rotation staple, but it was a pleasant surprise for a few months.
7. Nawang Khechog – Karuna (1995)
   I bought this knowing her work with R. Carlos Nakai.
   Produced by Kitaro, it turned into a perfect work‑day ambient listen, even if it never became a personal classic.

🔍 The Unknowns

This is where crate‑digging is pure adventure.
Some of those unknowns were one‑and‑done spins; others quietly became hidden gems.
Looking back, these are the albums that faded from memory versus the ones that still pop up in my rotation.

🎵 Reflection

Trips like this remind me that music collecting is part treasure hunt, part memory bank.
Some albums become lifelong companions.
Others were just passing acquaintances—but even those had their moment.
Years later, I can trace these CDs back to that day with Nick at PREX, which makes them all part of my musical journey.

🌱 Roots and Leaves in music – some songs take root, others drift away.
Explore More Music Memories →

💿 Next Crate Safari Awaits!
Exploring thrift stores, record exchanges, and dusty shelves has its rewards.
Some albums become instant favorites, others are happy surprises along the way.
Browse More Crate Safaris →

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