This is for my Dad.

He passed away nine years ago today.  I was shocked.  I was despondent.  I was really f’ing angry.  But nine years later, no matter how upset I might get, one particular song always cheers me up — “Rainbow Connection”.

One of my all time favorite memories is Dad strumming along on his guitar and singing “Rainbow Connection” to my sister and I.  I’m certain my love for everything Muppets is because of my Dad.  Come to think of it, my “expert love” for everything music is because of my Dad.  Heck, this here blog may not have come to fruition had my Dad not instilled his love for music in me.

My Dad introduced me to the likes of Elton John, Elvis, The Rat Pack (he always said Sammy Davis, Jr. had the best voice), The Big Bopper, Willie Nelson, obviously The Beach Boys (my Dad was a HUGE Beach Boys fans), and not to mention a wide array of show tunes and Disney soundtracks.   More importantly, my Dad was always super cool with letting me listen to basically any music I wanted to.  I know he didn’t care for quite a bit of the music I listened to, but he tolerated it and rarely gave me a hard time.

I tried to “man up” for the funeral, but when “Rainbow Connection” was played during the service, the waterworks came on and I had a hard time listening to it for the next couple of years.  I don’t even really remember what made me listen again, but I discovered the song makes me happy.  I still sometimes tear up when I hear the song, but they’re happy tears now.  So without further ado, let us all enjoy the vocal stylings of Kermit the Frog, as he performs one of my Dad’s favorite songs.