While I’ve never been a fan of opera, and I didn’t exactly follow his life, I’m rather saddened by Luciano Pavarotti’s passing.

My reason is probably different from most, and is a little… odd. The reason being that when I was young… very young, my father was a traveling salesman. While he was gone on one of his trips Pavarotti came on whatever station we had the TV set to. At the time, my father had a heavy, dark beard and he still has a wonderful voice. Not opera quality, but rich and deep.

According to my mother (to anyone who would and will listen) I ran up to the TV and hugged it because “daddy was there”.

I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for Pavarotti. And I cried when daddy shaved his beard.