It's Jackie Smiles

Recently, I went through my dad’s old CDs that my mom has held on to for almost 18 years. Even after all this time, pieces of him still linger. In forgotten corners, collecting dust, waiting to be discovered, and used once again.

Somewhere in my heart, I believe that listening to the music he enjoyed would somehow bring us closer. Give me a better picture of who my dad used to be and what his taste was. As I sifted through his CDs I ended up making a playlist on my Spotify. Finding all the albums and putting them in one place. I then dedicated a whole day to listen to every album by every artist and wrote down the songs that I enjoyed and what songs really spoke to me.

It’s no surprise my dad was a fan of classic rock. It just fits the narrative I’ve made up for him in my head. It’s kind of hard to really know someone when you lose them at a really young age. I don’t remember what he sounds like, I don’t remember what he smells like, I don’t really remember his mannerisms. He’s a stranger to me, as sad as that sounds I can’t sugarcoat it. My dad, my hero, my first love in this lifetime is gone and all I really have left of him are pictures I no longer recognize and an old box of CDs of music he enjoyed.

I strongly believe that music brings us together in more ways than one. Music has a powerful hold on our hearts, it links us to memories and moments in time. We could hear a song once and forget about it, only to hear it again years later and remember how it felt to hear it for the first time. They convey our deepest feelings and our every thought and put them together into words we’re too afraid to bring to life. Music speaks for us when we can’t find the right things to say.

I’ve created a separate page with some of the music he liked that I’ve enjoyed as well, I hope you’ll give them a listen. I plan to change up the music every so often so that there’s always a variety. Share with me some of the music and artists you like as well, I’m always open to listen to new songs and artists.

That’s all for now, stay hopeful, and keep smiling.