Sunshine and Whiskey
I have two favourite songs — one everyone knows and the other nobody does. The first song reminds me of everyone and the second only of me.
Keeping the same favourite songs for years means a collage of memories built against the melody and lyrics. Images flashing across your mind with every note as you watch your life against a stranger’s backdrop.
You Are My Sunshine
My grandfather pushes me on our red swing set beside the two big trees while singing the chorus.
Dad calls me ‘sunshine’ when he sees I am wearing the white summer dress with the yellow sunflowers.
A stranger hums the tune on the subway beside me, far from home.
My husband texts me “Good morning” with a sun emoji in the morning when we are at work.
Nearly a hundred years of humans around the world living their lives to an iconic song with sad verses and a sweet chorus.
Whiskey
Playing the first few notes on the car speakers getting up the nerve to back out of the driveway.