The Songs We Sing–Or Don’t Sing

One of my favorite uncle’s favorite song was “Coming to America”, from one of his favorite singers, Neil Diamond. This uncle passed at an age younger than I am now from undiagnosed lung cancer that developed during his time as a construction worker ripping out asbestos from old buildings with no protection; work solicited for many minorities.

This uncle had been a favorite (and still is), not just because he was less than ten years older than my elder sister and I, but he was a truly fun. He loved to watch movies, a trait shared with his siblings, the eldest of whom fondly remembered being taken to the cinema by their alcoholic, but also often charming father who abandoned them soon after their mother died following complication after the birth of the youngest. He was quick to smiles and laughter, rarely got angry, was a hard worker loved by many, many…