Sound Track for That Empty Nest Drive

Parent Cafe
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<p>when my friend left for school, for his mom he started playing John Denver’s “I’m leaving on a jet plane”</p>

22

<p>Lyrics not completely on point as they relate to a break up but the song running through my head the whole last summer with my son before he leaves for college is Kelly Clarkson’s Already Gone… (sob).</p>

23

<p>In 1969, when my father was in Vietnam, my mom used to cry to Peter, Paul and Mary’s version of “Leaving on a Jet Plane.”</p>

<p>Some songs stand the test of the time.</p>

24

<p>If you’re intent on being reflective rather than celebratory: My Wish by Rascal Flatts</p>

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<p>Outfit by Drive By Truckers</p>

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<p>I JUST put my son on a plane to the other side of the country - I was singing Leaving on a Jet Plane to myself as I watched him through the gate. Sigh.</p>

27

<p>Slipping Through My Fingers/Abba</p>

<p>For Baby is a heartbreaker for me - I sang it to my sons every night. I like the Mary Travers version.</p>

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<p>I do too. Was just watching an old PBS special on PP&M and they showed her singing it to her beautiful granddaughter Wylly who is sitting on her lap. Lot’s of teary eyes in the audience.</p>

29

<p>I had that concert on videotape, eadad. S1 and I watched it a lot when he was very young.</p>

30

<p>A couple of country songs to add: </p>

<p>You’re Gonna Miss This by Trace Adkins
Don’t Blink by Kenny Chesney</p>

31

<p>For Good, from Wicked.</p>

32

<p>Two of the songs I heard DS practicing on sax before heading back to college come to mind… ah, we’ll miss him!</p>

<p>Sesame Street theme
[“Sesame</a> Street Theme” 1998-2001 - YouTube](<a href=“"Sesame Street Theme" 1998-2001 - YouTube”>"Sesame Street Theme" 1998-2001 - YouTube)</p>

<p>What a Wonderful World<br>
[Louis</a> Armstrong - what a wonderful world - YouTube](<a href=“- YouTube”>- YouTube)
I hear babies crying, I watch them grow
They’ll learn much more than I’ll never know
And I think to myself what a wonderful world
Yes I think to myself what a wonderful world.</p>

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<p>LEE ANN WOMACK - I HOPE YOU DANCE
“I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance,
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin’ might mean takin’ chances but they’re worth takin’,
Lovin’ might be a mistake but it’s worth makin’,
Don’t let some hell bent heart leave you bitter,
When you come close to sellin’ out reconsider,
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.
I hope you dance…I hope you dance.”</p>

34

<p>Good choices, but jeez, you guys are gluttons for punishment! If I had any of these songs playing, I would never have made it back to the airport.</p>

<p>I tried very hard to see the road (did have to pull over as soon as I left S’s dorm parking lot.) With D’s drop off, I didn’t cry, but could not bear to listen to any radio stations that might play ‘her’ music, so listened to NPR for the rest of the drive.</p>

<p>But to keep in the spirit of the OP, I’ll add:
Seasons of Love
In the Early Morning Rain
At Seventeen (…“I learned the truth at seventeen, that love was meant for beauty queens…”)
The Circle Game “… and the seasons, they go round and round, and the painted ponies go up and down, we’re captured on a carousel of time. We can’t stop, but can only look and see from where we came, and go round and round and round, on a circle game…”</p>