It's so much fun watching the budding personalities of your kids. Here in 2021 looking back at memories of them when they were little I could easily see some of their personalities taking shape while other characteristics I could never have guessed. And I know 10 or 20 years from now they will be different still. Each moment with them is a blessing and going on this journey with them is among my greatest joys.
One attribute of Alexander that was easy to spot early on was his love for music. He would be at the doctors office, in the tub or getting on the bus for school and be singing. His repertoire of music was still limited and mostly shaped by what he heard his parents play but he tried his best and had no stage fright what so ever.
I remember standing in Price Chopper on Antioch one day picking up cake batter and he just belted out The Joker by The Steve Miller Band. That is to say the chorus and a hodgepodge of the rest but he was really enjoying it. Phaedra was buckled into the cart and Dave was helping me locate stuff but Alex was just there swaying to his own voice and just hoping to the beat. An elderly couple about 20' down the isle couldn't help but stop and watch.
I let him go as he wasn't hurting anyone and I was used to his penchant for music. The couple eventually made their way to us and remarked at how sweet they all were. It was a simple moment but one that has stuck with me. Today Alexander is constantly immersed in music and while his taste skews more towards Rap these days he still has music in his soul.
I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) by The Proclaimers For 2020 I walked 1,000 miles so… yeah. Also remember this song from How I Met Your Mother? Great show.
(I've Had) The Time Of My Life (From "Dirty Dancing" by Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes
My parents wouldn't let me watch this movie (don't know why now that I've seen it) but we listened to the music a lot. It's enchanting and addictive.
I Want You by Savage Garden
Catchy as hell! My wife used to argue this was sung by Roxette and I still love to tease her I was right about it. I will concede that they do sound a lot alike.
I Will Survive (Single Version) by Gloria Gaynor Another one of the few I am willing to embarrass myself and butcher at karaoke night. Sorry Gloria, you deserve better.
Ice Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice
I'm a child of the 80s, I get a pass.
If You're Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band) by Alabama My first ever concert featured Alabama and they were my favorite band of several years.
Immigrant Song (Remaster) by Led Zeppelin This my jam! Such a great song, oh man I am going to play it again… Oh and I always dedicate this one to my wife.
Immortals by Fall Out Boy I absolutely loved Big Hero Six and this song naturally reminds me of it.
Intergalactic (Remastered) by Beastie Boys My buddy Andy introduced me to this one back in college. It's still a fun memory connected song.
It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) by R.E.M. A kid in Algebra loaned me this album because I was "too God awful country he couldn’t stand it". He was right, it’s a good song by a great band.
The Joker by The Steve Miller Band
As a child Alexander used to try and sing this song and did pretty good for a ~6 year old. It cracked me up and of course its a great song.