Sometimes, as I listen to music when I’m driving, a song will come on and I’ll find myself overcome with emotion. Does that ever happen to you?

A few days ago, it was Dan Fogelberg’s Leader of the Band. He wrote the song as a tribute to his father, and whether or not you take the title literally, many of us can relate to the idea of living a life that honors our father or carrying on that legacy.

My dad was a music man and we have him to thank for our love of music. Whenever I hear certain hymns, I’m right back in church next to him, hearing his beautiful voice. He was kind and caring, gentle and loving, firm in right vs. wrong, adept at handling chaos in the back seats as he drove and had the most generous spirit.

As the songwriter sings, “My life has been a poor attempt to imitate the man…” But it was this line that stole my breath and brought my tears: “And Papa, I don’t think I said I love you, near enough.”