You never know when the moment is going to happen, it is just one of those seconds in time that you dream about, waiting for that particular day that everything just seems to fall in line. Yesterday was that day. It was my first day back to work after Thanksgiving break, I had just picked Senia Mae up from preschool and we were heading back to the house for lunch. Typical day, nothing unusual about it.

As I pulled into the driveway "the song" came on the radio. Every parent has certain rites of passage they want to pass down to their kids, things that really make the difference, allowing you to view life from another perspective. As a die hard rocker and lifelong musician, certain songs set the tone in my life, creating mile markers on the blueprint of my particular story, shaping who I am today. A good song is one that everyone can relate to at some point in their life, really get it, feel it, know it. This was one of those songs...power chords ...rhythm...timing...emotion...yes! Just picture someone standing in the dust watching the taillights slowly fade into the distance as they realize the car they are chasing contains "the one that got away". You know what I am talking about...

I quickly turned my head to look at her sitting patiently in her car seat, as if she were waiting for my cue. Her eyes caught mine instantly with that certain look of understanding that said without words, "Yes, Mom, I get it..." and the pre-chorus started playing. I raised my hands above my head clapping with vigor in the rhythm of 1,2,3,4 as my head bowed in synch with each beat. It was not Wayne and Garth, it was us, me and my kid, and at this moment we were livin' the dream! Out of the corner of my eye I saw her raise her hands over her head in the same fashion, trying to mimic the intensity of my clapping, but not really sure of herself just yet but willing enough to be a noble apprentice.

I took in a deep breath steadying my diaphragm, letting the smooth muscles relax so the tone would be released with perfection. Grabbing her left knee with my right hand I squeeze to the rhythm gently as I belt out "Its more than a feeling....(more than a feelen)...when I hear that old song they used to play...I think its really..(more than a feelen)...till I see Mary Ann walk away...I see that Mary Ann walkin' away.." (Just so that you know, every other girl in Massachusetts is named Mary Ann or Anne Marie, so it gives the song that much more importance!)

Peering into the eyes of my child I notice her eyes are glistening with absolute glee as she is bobbing her head, trying to hit the two high notes that follow Mary Ann walking away right before the guitar solo. YES! This is it! The moment has happened and she gets it!! This, Senia Mae, is one of the most important guitar riffs in rock and roll history, and we just shared that moment together...passing down the knowledge of the sacred trust right here in the confines of our family automobile. We clapped loudly and sang high notes together, bobbing our heads in unison, completely together in that moment. Will she remember it twenty years from know.. I don't know. Will I remember this life changing moment of truth until the day that I leave this earth? Most definitely...YES!!! You passed the test, kid, and I am proud of ya'!