Super Trooper

When I was on the track team in 7th grade, a friend and teammate made me a tape of Abba's Greatest Hits. I listened to that on my Walkman on repeat for the next six months, or until the tape wore right out. Hearing any Abba song for the past 18 years makes me think of being a bus, surrounded by teammates in Lycra and Nylon.

Last fall, you randomly starting singing the first few lines of Mamma Mia and I was 13 again. But, there's more to this story and our shared love affair.

A few Christmas ago, right after you turned one, your Papa started a holiday tradition of watching Mamma Mia. He loves musicals and doesn't care who knows it. That Christmas, you shook your baby booty to every song. Christmas at two, you danced more, and cried when it was over. This past Christmas, at age three, you got your own copy.


Photo Credit

We watch the movie weekly, for the most part. You love to crank the volume, clear the floor, and dance and sing like your life depends on it. You can sing most the lyrics to Mamma Mia, the song. It's one of your favorites.

I've been cheated by you since I don't know when
So I made up my mind, it must come to an end
Look at me now, will I ever learn?
I don't know how but I suddenly lose control
There's a fire within my soul
Just one look and I can hear a bell ring
One more look and I forget everything, w-o-o-o-oh

Mamma mia, here I go again
My my, how can I resist you?
Mamma mia, does it show again?
My my, just how much I've missed you
Yes, I've been brokenhearted
Blue since the day we parted
Why, why did I ever let you go?
Mamma mia, now I really know,
My my, I could never let you go.

I've been angry and sad about things that you do
I can't count all the times that I've told you we're through
And when you go, when you slam the door
I think you know that you won't be away too long
You know that I'm not that strong.
Just one look and I can hear a bell ring
One more look and I forget everything, w-o-o-o-oh

Mamma mia, here I go again
My my, how can I resist you?
Mamma mia, does it show again?
My my, just how much I've missed you
Yes, I've been brokenhearted
Blue since the day we parted
Why, why did I ever let you go?
Mamma mia, even if I say
Bye bye, leave me now or never
mamma mia, it's a game we play
Bye bye doesn't mean forever

Mamma mia, here I go again
My my, how can I resist you?
Mamma mia, does it show again?
My my, just how much I've missed you
Yes, I've been brokenhearted
Blue since the day we parted
Why, why did I ever let you go
Mamma mia, now I really know
My my, I could never let you go