A hearty amen to SunnySister and her story of "The Living Years."

I have often said that I think the most beautiful love song written is "Leader of the Band" by Dan Fogelberg, and it was written for his father. The last verse is:

I thank you for the music,
and your stories of the road;
I thank you for the freedom
When it came my time to go.
I thank you for the kindness,
and the times when you got tough.
And Papa I don't think I said
"I love you" near enough.

(chorus)
The Leader of the Band is tired
and his eyes are growing old.
But his blood runs through my instrument
and his song is in my soul.
My life has been a poor attempt
to imitate the man
I'm just a living legacy
To the leader of the band.

My dad died when I was 28. I cannot hear this song without thinking of him.

Freightdawg