Labor Day, 2023
Jimmy Buffett passed away today. He's been a major part of my life since I was 18 years old. I’m now 45. Feels like I lost a family member although I never met him.
The beach songs appealed to me at first. Then the book, “A Pirate Looks at 50" read like fiction because of all his experiences that I wanted to live as well...especially the story beginning on page 23.
Then I read the famous “I hope to never have a real job“ quote from Jimmy…made me wonder if that’s possible. Sort of!
I don’t have any regrets over my life so far, but I do admire the guts he had to take chances early on. Now that he is gone, I'm more even more aware that life is short...have the experiences, go on the trips with your kids...
Over the last few years, we’ve driven to New Orleans on a Tuesday night for a concert (twice) and even packed our family up and went to Bonnaroo. We all agree that experiences are important to us. Jimmy wrote about it all the time.
Jimmy sang, “When I see a flying boat, I get a lump in my throat…and I say, someday I will.” – well, someday, I will too.
At one point in my 20's I owned all of his albums...Heather and I have been to Key West five times. It’s time to go back!
I got the Coconut Telegraph newsletter in the mail for years in the pre-internet days. Went to his concert in Atlanta back in 2000. Always loved the fact that he was born in Mississippi. We have (had) a lot in common and he is really no different than I am. I've been many of the places he's been.
Always thought I would learn to sail or fly...the desire has always been there. I’ve dreamed before about sailing from Key West around Miami and hopping over to Bimini -- through the Bermuda Triangle!
I’ve learned to plan for vacations and put it on the schedule or else you’re probably not gonna make it. Jimmy recommended doing that very thing.
I’ve always been inspired by him. He was always very thoughtful with just about everyone. All the interviews today have mentioned that. He didn’t brag and preferred delayed gratification just like I do.
I’ve never read his fiction even though I own all of the books. I listen to Radio Margaritaville every week. Spotify Wrapped shows that I play JB songs more than 99.5% of the planet.
It feels like I lost my best male friend.
This business is named after my favorite JB song…“But there’s this One Particular Harbour, so far, but yet, so near, for when I see the day when my hair turns gray, and I finally disappear…BUT NOT YET!”
Jimmy Buffett will never disappear for me.
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Since you are wondering…my favorite Jimmy Buffett songs are:
Jimmy Dreams, Floridays, Havana Daydreamin’, One Particular Harbour, Little Miss Magic, Son of a Son of a Sailor, Banana Republics, Banana Wind, Barometer Soup, Lovely Cruise, Tin Cup Chalice, Oceans of Time, Last Mango in Paris, Cowboy in the Jungle, Take Another Road, Mañana, the Wino and I Know, Death of an Unpopular Poet, Delaney Talks to Statues, Breathe in, Breathe out, Move on, I Have Found Me a Home…there are many others…
