Jambalaya

A 30-Day Music Memory Series

The suitcase side table in my living room (outside and inside views.)

My dad played guitar. With or without guitar, he could often be caught singing, playing, or whistling Hank Williams’ “Jambalaya.”

After my dad passed away, I kept his old Martin and this old suitcase, which I use as a side table next to a recliner in my living room. Although I knew it had sheet music inside, I opened it up again for this music memory challenge.

The sheet music here is fantastic, with all the Country classics like Bob Wills, Hank Williams, Waylon Jennings, and more. Underneath all those music books are handwritten and typed songs my dad created. His attempt at pouring his soul into verse. Songs about love, loss, war, and pain.

There were also a few “thank you” letters from people my dad had done something nice for. While the letters weren’t specific, I recall my dad helping lots of people when the chance arose. Reading through the heartfelt gratitude expressed in some of these letters from people who’d only met my dad once made me teary. Kindness is such a beautiful mark to leave on the lives of strangers.

It’s a pretty awesome-looking suitcase side table and a gentle daily reminder of thousands of instances scattered throughout my lifetime.
When I hear “Jambalaya,” I remember my dad. ❤