MY TRUTH: It’s Black Music Month

By Cheryl Smith

I love music.

Any kind of music!

Okay, I am not that original. Maybe you have heard the Mighty, Mighty OJays singing that tune.

Ten years ago I was in the room with my mother. We were prepared for this moment as she was transitioning.

Mother also liked music and so when I asked her if she wanted me to be her deejay for the night she let me know that she did.

There were a few nights I was her deejay and I played some of every type of music. If it was a tune I especially liked, I would tell her why a song was special to me.

I played the music I knew she’d want to hear; like Johnny Taylor, Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, Brook Benton, B.B. King, Bobby Blue Band, the Four Tops, the Spinners and Aretha Franklin.

It was nice, playing some of the songs from the time that I’ve been on this earth with her but I also went back to times before me and played some hits from the 50s, 40s and 30s — during her time.

There was some Ella Fitzgerald, Mahalia Jackson, the Platters, King Floyd, Tom Jones, Dionne Warwick, Average White Band and the Temptations; to name a few.

I know she enjoyed having me as her deejay because she was moving to the beats.

That I could bring her joy in those waning hours was therapeutic to me. It made me feel good and I joked about our session when the nurse came in the room and said something about may-be checking to see if Mother was in pain or something because of the way she was moving.

I laughingly told the nurse that my mom was Twerking!

There were so many times in my life when music has made me feel good.

As the 10th anniversary of the passing of Mother approaches, I can’t help but think about our life together and I take solace in knowing that we had an opportunity for deep conversations, to prepare macaroni and cheese together, and to enjoy music.

Many won’t have the same opportunity, but those who still have parents among the living, I strongly suggest you make some time for them. Clear the air. Share some feelings. And yes, even enjoy some music together.

One day you won’t be able to!