All Of Me

       A few days after my mother died in May of 2012, my nephew Steven had a gig in South Boston. On Mother's Day, actually. All of my siblings and I decided to go.
       At that time, I was still estranged from everyone in my family, except for my sister Cheryl and my mom. Prior to my mother’s death, the five of us, meaning all of my siblings, hadn’t been in the same room together for years. So agreeing to all attend this event was no small feat.
       At the gig, my twin brother Mike and I got up on stage with my nephew and did a few tunes with him. Mike and I used to play in a bands together. Lots of bands. Over many years. But it had been a long time since I shared the stage with him.
       My family is extremely musical. Kind of like The Osmonds without all the Mormon bullshit. We all have vast talent, passion, and an irresistible gravitation towards music. Most of us are involved in actively playing live music, to varying degrees, as of this writing. Thus, there is a powerful common connection between us all that transcends the strife and pain and mayhem of the last ten years of our collective relationships.
       Not long after my mother’s death, when, at the time, there was little communication or expressed love, we all reconciled. Music played a role in this story, because it was one very powerful common area that we all connected to. Like a hub of beautiful flowers ringed by a pile of horse shit.  
       The song in the video is entitled “All Of Me”. It’s one of the greatest love songs ever written, which has stood the test of time. Appropriate that a great love song is being performed by my nephew, my twin brother, and I. For there is, and always has been, a great love between us. Even if it was buried beneath a lot of hurt, bad behavior, and misunderstanding.
       “All Of Me” emotes the passion of a man who is literally giving himself, all of himself, to the woman of his heart’s desire. He’s saying; “I’m here. I’m showing you everything I’ve got. Take it. Take it all. Take ME, baby. Because without you, my complete giving of this priceless gift doesn’t mean much.”
       It’s a romantic and impassioned plea for the acceptance of one’s whole being; a total giving of such love that it staggers my senses. And yet here it is, this priceless gift of love and self being offered, completely and freely. As though he were offering a Tootsie Roll to a kid.
       That’s what great love songs are made of. That’s what great love relationships are made of.

 Thanx, Boo, for the nice camera work.

©2013 Clint Piatelli, Steve Memmolo, MuscleHeart, and Red F Publishing. All rights reserved.

Comments

[Pam]

This certainly was the saddest Mother's day I will ever experienced because of my Mom not being with us, but a great time of comfort because we were all together as a family...finally!! To see my Son Stephen playing with his Uncles, My Brothers, brings such a mix of joy and sorrow because Mom and Dad got so much pleasure out of watching you all....and although they were there in "spirit" their physical presence was so greatly missed! I know Dad would have joined in the chorus of this song since he too loved to sing and often sang "All of Me" ....he was an "entertainer" at heart and you all got his great genes!.....I know they are both watching us...and smiling.....wherever they are...luv ya...Pam

[Clint Piatelli]

Well said Pam. Dad was indeed an entertainer, with mom his perfect foil. Thanx for reading. I love you too, sis,

Clint (but you will always call me "John")