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Today's Memory Taper is John from Bristol.

John got in touch to share his Memory Tape - a playlist full to the brim of tracks he associates with his parents, John and Barbara.

John told us: "While sadness is engrained in the passing of one's parents, my experience has also been life affirming. In life, my parents taught me love, but in their passing they taught me how to truly love.

My parents were married for over 60 years and until their final days together were like teenage lovers and totally inseparable.

My mum passed away on 3rd May 2016 after a short illness, which came as a shock given my father had been battling a number of life-threatening illnesses since his 50's. To be perfectly honest we were all expecting him to pass away first.

My mum’s passing had a devastating impact on my dad, but given the love of his immediate family we all rallied around to help him through his darkest days.

On my regular visits from Bristol to Stockton on tees (my hometown) Dad and I would venture for long drives onto the North Yorkshire Moors. With a picnic, flasks of tea and several oxygen bottles on board (his deteriorating health required 24-7 oxygen support) we would spend hours driving slowly through the moors, chatting, reflecting while listening to this playlist we had put together.

He would pick a track for Mum and I would pick one for them both. Far from tears, the journey brought us closer together with many many moments of laughter and joy. Music is not only a healer, but helps put things into perspective in times when life just does not make sense.

My dad passed away peacefully on 3rd May 2017 one year to the day of my Mum's passing. This playlist was on shuffle play during his final days.

Both me and my Sister Janet know we had two amazing, funny, loving parents. They always taught us that the purpose of life is to be happy."

For Mum + Dad:

Please Forgive My Heart: Bobby Womack
It’s Always You: Chet Baker
Stay Forever: Catching Flies
Heartbreaker: Ray Charles
I Love You Because: Jim Reeves
I Am The Changer: Cotton Jones
If You See Her, Say Hello: Bob Dylan
Back To The Hop: Danny and the Juniors
You’ve Made Me So Very Happy: Lou Rawls
Lovin’ Machine: Wynonie Harris
Always On My Mind: Willie Nelson
Long Way Home: Tom Waits
What Colour is Love: Terry Callier
Far Far Away: Slade
Wonderful Land: The Shadows
Be Patient: Paper Beat Scissors
Wonderful World: Sam Cooke
This Old Heart of Mine: The Isley Brothers
Gentle On My Mind: Glen Campbell
If You Could Read My Mind: Gordon Lightfoot
Lovely Day: Bill Withers

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