Sunday 12th October 2025
Today’s entry really began last evening, when Dad came in from work. He came straight over and gave me a big hug — quite out of the blue — and then, with a grin, announced,
“We must have a music night tonight. There’s something I want you to listen to.”
He’s always enthusiastic about his music nights, but the way he said it made me feel this one might be something a little different — something special.
As it turned out, the music night never happened. Mum poured a bit of cold water on the idea when she reminded him that one of her favourite TV shows was reaching its grand finale. She wasn’t being nasty at all; we both knew how much she’d been following it. That’s just the way things are here — little rhythms and rituals we all make room for.
So, tonight, music night finally happened. I took up my usual position — tucked in close beside Dad and his glass of whisky on the sofa — the same spot I claim most evenings, not just when music’s involved. Once we were settled, Dad queued up a singer called Bill Withers. I hadn’t heard of him before, so I didn’t know what to expect. His songs were warm and soulful, though I thought he did stretch things out a bit here and there.
We started with a track called “Ain’t No Sunshine.” Then, before he played the next one — “Lovely Day” — Dad turned to me and said,
“Pay close attention to the words in this track, Katie. They say exactly what you do to me… and to everyone else you meet during your day.”
I could tell right then that it was going to be one of those moments. And sure enough, before the first chorus was over, I was crying like a baby in my dad’s arms. It was so touching, so impossibly tender, it almost hurt. He wrapped his arm around me, gave me a little kiss on the forehead — the way he does when he’s feeling especially proud or soft-hearted — and said quietly,
“You must never question your worth, Katie. Giving this kind of feeling to the people around you — that’s worth having you here, even without all the other things you do for us.”
I don’t think I’ll forget that moment for a long time. There was such a lovely hush in the room afterwards — just the low hum of the music, the soft crackle from the fire, and the comfort of belonging exactly where I was meant to be.
I’ve put the words below for anyone who doesn’t know them, and a link to the song too. Listening to it gives a far better sense of the feeling than the words alone ever could.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEeaS6fuUoA
Lovely Day
Song by Bill Withers
When I wake up in the morning, love
And the sunlight hurts my eyes
And something without warning, love
Bears heavy on my mind
Then I look at you
And the world's alright with me
Just one look at you
And I know it's gonna be
A lovely day
When the day that lies ahead of me
Seems impossible to face
When someone else instead of me
Always seems to know the way
Then I look at you
And the world's alright with me
Just one look at you
And I know it's gonna be
A lovely day
When the day that lies ahead of me
Seems impossible to face
And when someone else instead of me
Always seems to know the way
Then I look at you
And the world's alright with me
Just one look at you
And I know it's gonna be
A lovely day
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