The Daily Rambling Artist - Loop-de-Loop: A Family Connection

One of the ways I find stability in my life is by doing something seemingly simple yet oddly comforting: I pick a song that resonates with me, and I put it on repeat. It's a ritual I've practiced for years, and I'm well aware that numerous people have been subjected to this musical loop and annoyed throughout the years, but still—it remains in my toolbox of coping mechanisms.

I've heard others mention they do the same thing, but the other day, I experienced a unique connection with one of my daughters over this very ritual. I was in one of those moods, the kind where a specific song just hit the right note, and I decided to loop it. The music filled the space around me, wrapping me in its embrace.

As life would have it, it was time for me to gather the kids and embark on a family errand. I herded everyone into the car, fastened seatbelts, and started the engine. I figured it was time to switch gears and let the radio take over.

As I turned on the car's radio, one of my kids piped up from the back seat, "Hey, what happened to the song?" I was momentarily confused, not immediately grasping the significance of what she'd said.

And then I realized the song on the radio was similar to the one I had been looping, but it wasn't the same. I looked into the rearview mirror and saw the genuine dismay on my daughter's face. Her sanctuary of sound had been disrupted, and it bothered her.

In that moment, I couldn't help but smile, even if she didn't fully grasp the depth of its significance to me. That shared connection, that understanding of the importance of a song, was a beautifully weird and surprisingly special moment we had just experienced together.

-Sergio Santos