Croce's "Operator." What do you think about this song?

[CTyankee]

It was played at my dear sister in law's service after her tragic death ten years ago. My sorrow at her death never stops.

What does this song mean to you? Does its spirit have meaning in your life?

[debm55]

1. Great post, CTyankee. It makes me sad. It came out when I finished HS. was engaged, broke up and still lived in the

hell hole , that was my home. I did not press on the arrow to play because I knew how I would feel.

[CTyankee]

3. That is good for me to hear. I am not the only one enormously saddened by this song...

I hope to see my niece soon who might be able to throw some light on why her mom chose this song to be played at her service. When I spoke at her service, I was moved to quote from another song "Bridge over Troubled Water." I chose "Sail on silver girl, sail on by....all your dreams, see how they shine, oh if you need a friend, I'm sailing right behind." Then my tears came and I had to stop.

[The Blue Flower]

2. Big Croce fan here

The lyrics and tune hit home and hit hard.

[CTyankee]

4. why does it affect you this way?

[The Blue Flower]

7. Life experience

He captures it well.

[virgdem]

5. I was fortunate to see Jim Croce in concert in 1972 or 1973 (too long ago to remember the exact date)

He was the lead in for Loggins and Messina. A great concert and wonderful memory. I've always been a fan and was very upset when I learned that he had died in a plane crash. I always think of that concert when I hear his songs played on the radio.

[Borogove]

8. I thought it was a great song. My wife and I use to live next to his home just outside of Downingtown, PA.

[wildflowergardener]

9. Song

I have been a big fan of Jim Croce. Sad he died so early as I love the songs he did write. I guess what this song means he is trying to convince himself he is alright or forgave them but by the end we realize is just not true - or maybe he is lonely and just wanted someone to talk to. I guess songs can have varied meanings. Maybe your sister in law was a Jim Croce fan or somehow the song had a meaning to her or a situation she had dealt with in her life. It does not for me I just think its a really good song.

[CTyankee]

10. Well, she had a very tragic life. Her mother died giving birth to her and her father held it against her all her life.

She was a kind and loving person. But her alcoholism was viewed in such a hostile way by so many in her family she probably really died of a broken heart.

[MerrilyMerrily]

11. I'm so sorry

I am sorry she had such a sad life.
Did she choose that heartbreaking song for her funeral, or did someone else?

[CTyankee]

12. I don't know but I suspect she liked the song.

I will see her daughter this summer and ask her if she knows.

[Donkees]

13. The operator in the song symbolizes the inspiration behind modern day "Wind Telephones"

The operator symbolizes the 'unconnected' phone ...

At its simplest, a wind phone is a rotary or push-button phone located in a secluded spot in nature, usually within a booth-type structure and often next to a chair or bench. The phone line is disconnected.

People use the wind phone to “call” and have a one-way conversation with deceased loved ones. Here they can say the things left unsaid. Wind phones offer a setting for the person to tell the story of their grief, to reminiscence and to continue to connect to the person who is gone. For many, it is a deeply moving, life-affirming experience.

The wind phone began in Japan in 2010, when Itaru Sasaki, a garden designer, built a phone booth in his yard so he could “talk” with a deceased relative. Months later, the Fukushima earthquake and tsunami hit; in a matter of minutes, more than 20,000 people died.

Sasaki opened the phone booth to his neighbors, who urgently needed a place to express their grief. Word spread, and soon people came on pilgrimage from around Japan to speak through the “phone of the wind” to those they loved.

Since then, wind phones have spread throughout the world.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/what-are-wind-phones-and-how-do-they-help-with-grief-180985113/

[Mad_Dem_X]

14. I think it's quite sad

Especially this part: "I only wish my words could just convince myself that it just wasn't real."