This week's news announced the death of Mary Travers, the "Mary" of Peter, Paul, and Mary. The articles focused on her role as social activist but it wasn't 60's politics that came to mind when I heard the news. No, Mary Travers who shared the signature hairstyle of Peggy OMara of Mothering magazine was, for me, less about Vietnam etc and more about Puff the Magic Dragon and all the hours of Peter, Paul, and Mommy the boys and I logged in our minivan many years ago. They are probably among the few of their friends who can sing We're Goin' to the Zoo (zoo, zoooo, how about you, you, youuuuu?) and Blowin in the Wind. Hours and hours we spent with that cassette tape unwinding while we laughed over boa constrictors and make believe towns and drove through the Ohio countryside. More hours spent watching PBS concerts.
I miss it when I remember. I miss the music. I miss the little boys that were. The news says that this music defined a generation. It defined a period in our family's life as well but for different reasons. The harmonies take me back to cloth diapers, attachment parenting books, th
e Chinaberry catalog, library story hours, and health food co-op's. Asher has long maintained that life would be better with a sound track. If so, the soundtrack of our early family life would probably have been this, sprinkled liberally with Rafi selections.
I remember my mother stumbling over obituaries and struggling for words to explain why the death of a stranger would be so poignant. I understand a little better now as we watch figures from our past move into eternity. Their lives punctuate a place in our own history, while their going takes us forward to a point we too will reach in time. Bittersweet to say the least.
For now, there will be some youtube videos sent to boys in college dorms who no longer ride in the back of my van singing silly songs on the way to pick up soy milk and library books. And I will remember.
Starry Sky Journal 
Funny as it may be, I felt this way about the passing of Michael Jackson. I know so many Christian people who were almost cruel about the news of his death, but his life symbolized a period of my childhood, just like you expressed here.
I love their music. I offer my prayers and condolences to the family.
I loved Peter, Paul and Mary. I saw them when I was 7 41 years ago. Yikes 41 years ago. I really liked her voice not being so high that I couldn’t sing along with it.
Certain things trigger our senses and make us remember the times when the kids were wee ones or when we were first married. Have a good weekend.
Cindy
Boy do share the same memories!!! Chinaberry catalog, Mothering magazine, Raffi, Peter Paul and Mommy… Did you get Gentle Spirit? Although, I always feel awkward now when I read my Chinaberry catalog, I can’t help but think that Ann was a big influence in my early mothering days.
A small reminder of our own mortality I think, when an immortal of our day is gone. A great lady of music and for me, with many of my family in Vietnam, music defined the era. I remember the music, the letters home, and the overwhelming sadness of living a life surrounded by war. Oh my, so many amazing songs, May she rest in peace.
Oh I am sad Mary died. I like this post, it really brought back many memories for me.