The whole family circa 1961
Most of the family circa 1968
I'm remembering the song, I Just Wanna Stop by Gino Vannelli because it happens to be
one of my favorite songs from the year 1978. The song's lyrics begin with; “When I Think about those
nights in Montreal, I get the sweetest thoughts of you and me." When I listen to it now, it's not Montreal, Canada that I think about. Instead I think about my nights and days in Orange, New Jersey where I once lived. Isn't it strange and wonderful how music can bring back our special memories? That year, 1978 was the last year my father was alive and my whole family unit of twelve was intact. After his death, life went on for my mother and her seven girls and three boys. Over the years there have been graduations, marriages, births and a few of us moving far away. Then in 2001 we lost our mother too.
Fast forward to the year 2020, now there are only five of us left out of my original family of twelve. But it is not out of sadness that I write this. I am happy and grateful for the many wonderful experiences and memories I have had with my family. I've also added quite a few new family memories with my own wife and our two children and now with our three grand-children. Also I have nephews, nieces and even some great nieces and nephews. When I hear that song today, I personalize the lyrics a little to say, "I just wanna stop and tell you how I feel -about my family baby," and I feel at peace. The two old photographs in this post also take me back to the days when we were all together.
Some of the song lyrics appear below, you can click on the title to hear this beautiful
song.
When I think about those nights in Montreal
I get the sweetest thoughts of you and me
Memories of love above the city lights
Ooh, I've tried so hard to take it
But oh Lord my heart won't make it
I just want to stop
And tell you what I feel about you babe
I just want to stop
I never want to live without you babe
I just gotta stop
For your love...
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