It’s Memorial Day weekend, and I hope you’re enjoying a wonderful time with your family—creating moments to cherish and store in your hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for forming and storing short-term and long-term memories, as well as the events of our lives.
Recently, someone asked me what kind of music I listen to. I happily replied, “Christian songs and ballads.” When asked why I enjoy these genres, I explained that Christian music makes me feel closer to God, and ballads are the kind of music I grew up with. I also mentioned the song Moon River, one of my late father’s favorite songs.
Then I was asked if I knew who composed Moon River. Embarrassingly, I didn’t. I had never paid attention to that important detail. But I’m grateful to the person who asked, because he told me that Moon River was composed by Henry Mancini.
That same night, I told my son how much it bothered me that I didn’t know more about my father’s favorite song. I told him I felt embarrassed for not knowing those details. He listened patiently and reassured me that it was okay.
Later, I tried to reflect on why I didn’t remember what I thought I should have. As I listened to Audrey Hepburn’s rendition of Moon River, I didn’t even finish the song—my eyes welled up with tears.
Today, I found the courage to look up more details about the song, and I discovered that the lyrics to Moon River were written by Johnny Mercer. The song was originally featured in the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s, sung by Audrey Hepburn in 1961. It went on to win both Song of the Year and Best Original Song at the 1962 Grammy Awards.
My father passed away when I was six years old, and his memory of singing that song is one of my most cherished memories of him. I realized that maybe I hadn’t paid attention to the details of the song because it was too painful to revisit. It’s like admiring a fire for its warmth on a cold winter’s night—but never getting too close, because you know it could burn you.
My father wasn’t in the military, but I’m sharing this story on Memorial Day because, like the soldiers who gave their lives in service, my father also died while serving—he was a merchant seaman who lost his life at sea in the Sea of Japan.
I can only imagine the grief of families who’ve lost loved ones in military service. On this Memorial Day, I want to honor and thank all who have served—and especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice—for our freedom.
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Touching Moon River entry. 🌸❤️Many other performers “made bank” on that song. Especially Andy Williams, with his Moon River Theatre in Branson, MO.
So true. Thank you so much for sharing that information and for reading my post. I hope you’ll have an enjoyable weekend with your family!