Peanut Hears The Who

"I'm not trying to cause a sensation. I'm just talkin' 'bout my generation." -The Who

There are songs that come on the radio or my iPod and I will immediately think to myself, "This song would be on the soundtrack of my life." Scenes From an Italian Restaurant by Billy Joel. Lovely Day by Bill Withers. Growin' Up by Bruce Springsteen. I could go on and on. Suffice it to say, it would probably be a 2-disc set. At least. Certain songs just make you think of certain times in your life, or certain people.

In the short amount of time I spend in the swagger wagon on my way to and from daycare for pickup, I listen to one of two things on the radio: sports talk or classic rock. When the Peanut is in the car, I try to make sure we're listening to music.Normally, she's zoning out after a long day, sucking her thumb and staring out the window. But sometimes, we'll talk about the music. Our short lessons in what I believe is essential music knowledge go something like this:

"Daddy is this the song from Megamind? From the part where he beats Metro Man?"

"No sweetie. That's AC/DC. This song is by Led Zeppelin."

"Oh. Because it sounds like that song (Highway to Hell) from Megamind."

"You're right. They do sound alike. That's what we call rock 'n roll."

"You're silly, Daddy."

What amazes me is that almost every time we're listening to that classic rock station (Q104.3 in New York), a song by The Who comes on. Nearly every time.

The Who was by far the favorite band of my cousin Michael. He died in August 2009 after a short battle with lung cancer. He was 45 and the father of a ten year-old son. So when The Who comes on the radio now, we are reminded of a dad who had his parents load two oxygen tanks in the trunk of the car just days before his death because he wanted to take his son miniature golfing. He was hitting his shots with one hand and wheeling around the air he was breathing with the other.

That is the inspiration that comes to mind when me and the Peanut are rushing from daycare to home to get dinner started, a snack ready, Sesame Street turned on, Luna greeted. I'm able to take a moment to realize why I'm doing this, and for whom I am doing it. It makes me realize that I should stop complaining about being tired or stressed. I miss my cousin in those moments. But I am thankful for the lesson he taught me. How to be the best dad I could be.

This past weekend, we were taking the Peanut to dance class. As if on cue, the opening chords to "Who Are You" started to play. Almost immediately, the Peanut began to sing it, without prompting. Without any urging or instruction from either of us ever. "Who are you? Who? Who? Who Who?"

We never taught her this song ourselves.

So cousin Mikey lives. Remembered fondly, as part of the soundtrack of our life.