60's songstress is gone, the memories linger on

Mary Travers, part of the group of Peter, Paul and Mary from the 60's, died in 2009. As a part of that generation, when I heard that news it was one more reminder that time marches on, a premise that in no way was minimized when they started playing the group's songs in tribute to Mary.

I remember being in the hospital on a morning in late December in 1967 and hearing someone playing "Puff the Magic Dragon" loudly from their car. I had just given birth and was holding this new life in my arms and feeling quite inadequate to what I expected to be a long-term connection.

All those hormones, all that fatigue from the work of delivery, and yet the song grabbed me. I listened and here are the lyrics again:

Puff, the magic dragon, lived by the sea 
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee, 
Little Jackie Piper loved that rascal Puff, 
And brought him strings and sealing wax and other fancy stuff. oh 

Puff, the magic dragon, lived by the sea 
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee, 
Puff, the magic dragon, lived by the sea 
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee. 

Together they would travel on a boat with billowed sail 
Jackie kept a lookout perched on Puff's gigantic tail, 
Noble kings and princes would bow whenever they came, 
Pirate ships would lower their flag when Puff roared out his name. oh!

Puff, the magic dragon, lived by the sea 
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee, 
Puff, the magic dragon, lived by the sea 
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee. 

A dragon lives forever, but not so little boys 
Painted wings and giant rings make way for other toys. 
One grey night it happened, Jackie Piper came no more 
And Puff, that mighty dragon, he ceased his fearless roar. 

His head was bent in sorrow, green scales fell like rain, 
Puff no longer went to play along the cherry lane. 
Without his life-long friend, Puff could not be brave, 
So Puff, that mighty dragon, sadly slipped into his cave. oh! 

Puff, the magic dragon, lived by the sea 
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee, 
Puff, the magic dragon, lived by the sea 
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee.

Some people say the song is about the illusions created by smoking "that devil weed," but to me it is about how we all grow up and leave behind the things of childhood, and how quickly it all happens! I am among the fortunate parents who have been able to see their children into adulthood, but the years have gone by like droplets of water over Niagara Falls, into the mist of memory.

Niagara Falls, New York… on my bucket list.

That day and that song are indelibly etched in my memory and I thank that group for giving me a special tie-in to that birthing day. Today, 46 years later, I hope the Numero Uno will listen to the song and know that I celebrate the life and lessons brought about by this truly blessed event.

Do I need to add I am filled with pride at all the accomplishments NU has achieved? Have a wonderful birthday, my dear, and a Happy New Year!