How many times has a song reminded you of a special moment? I heard a 90s song earlier today and was reminded of my first road trip, when I drove out to see my dad in Arizona. Music has a way of bringing out emotion and stirring up memories. And sometimes, music just helps the day go by faster. I added a JBL Flip 2 speaker to my desk at work and found I get a lot more done when Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane are playing in the background.
That road trip to see my dad was one of those defining moments in my life. Our relationship had been rocky for a while and I was trying to find a way to bury the hatchet. I was living in California at the time and hadn’t seen my dad in a few years. I had just bought my first vehicle, a 1999 Chevy S-10 pickup, and was eager to put some miles on the odometer. I figured it was as good as a time as any to see the old man.
And so, at the crack of dawn, I headed east.For miles, it was just me and the radio. When the signals faded out, I played music from my CD collection and thought about life during that long, nine hour trip.
When you are making small talk, weather is usually the first thing that comes to mind. But after we tired of talking about the scorching desert sun, we eventually chatted about music and I learned about some of my dad’s favorite songs from when he was my age.
Talking about music became a way to learn about my dad, without it being awkward. I learned that Muskrat Love was the song he and my mom danced to at their wedding. I learned that he would often tear up when Axl Rose belted out Sweet Child of Mine because it made him think about my sister. And eventually we figured out how to talk with each other again and mended the relationship.
Music is a gift that can make memories and bring people together. Music can fill the room with life, which is why great speakers are one of the best gifts you can give this holiday season. The wireless JBL Flip 2 speaker that I have at work is about the size of a soda can, but the audio is crisp and clear. The speaker connects over Bluetooth to my phone, so I can stream music online from Pandora or just play songs from my phone’s music library.
I found that if a call comes in, I can use the JBL Flip 2 as a speaker phone. It even has a microphone built into it, which was an unexpected surprise.
If you order a Flip 2 from JBL.com, you can get free shipping and select from a variety of colors (black, red, blue, yellow, and white). The speaker comes with a charger and a nice case, which I found makes it easy to carry the Flip 2 with me in my computer bag. It is a great little gift for the music lover in your family.
My dad and I continue to grow closer as the years pass and music continues to be part of our conversations. We might not always agree on what counts as good music, but we always learn a little about each other. And whenever one of my dad’s songs happens to hit my playlist on shuffle, it will make me think of him and smile.
