Something I love about Indie is that I can't think of another station that would play Jim Croce followed by Rancid. I'm becoming more and more pleased that I didn't have to leave them behind when I moved, though I do feel a bit odd listening to an LA station while sitting in VA.

The Jim Croce (I've Got a Name) reminded me of the drives I used to make with Aunt Mary, spending hours on the 5 just singing along. Those were happy times, and I think that they did a lot to cement our relationship even though I was living 400 miles away from her. She's really the closest I've ever had to a maternal influence, and I'm truly grateful for her. There's no one else who's been so supportive and loving. Now that she's on the other side of the country we don't get to have those sing-alongs anymore, but at least we had the drive out here as one last road trip together, though I don't think that we listened to much Croce...

I sometimes think that I have to succeed in life not for my own sake, but because after all of the time, love, effort, and money Aunt Mary's invested in me, I just can't let her down. She didn't have to step in and fill the role she did. It was a choice from which I and my siblings benefited greatly. Through it all, she never really pushed us in any direction, just tried to help us be the best people we could be. She's seeing her influence finally pay off with my sister, which makes me feel good. Sorry to be so schmaltzy, it just really hit me how much she would and has done whatever it takes to make sure that we don't miss out on our opportunities.

Every now and then it gets hard to be away from the people you love.