A Mix What?

I've always loved music of all kinds. In fact, it's probably easier to say what I don't like than what I do. I don't care for hard-core rapping, heavy metal, or techno. Last month, Steve installed a new stereo in my SUV and I've spent a lot of time listing to a CD the girls burned for me five or six years ago. I have truly enjoyed the mix of light rap, country, alternative, and blues.

(Naturally, Steve hates it. Every time he gets in the vehicle and it's playing he makes a noise like it's literally hurting his ears and quickly turns it off.)

The last couple of days I've come to appreciate the time put into creating the CD; picking out the songs, the variety of genres included, the order of assembly, and the cost and time to burn it. It's even clearly marked, "Mom's Mix CD." All of which make it even more special when I listen to it.

Someone going to so much trouble for me reminded me of my first steady boy friend, from my teens - and yes, I can remember that far back. He use to make me mix cassette tapes that included all of our favorite songs, or songs that 'said' something to one of the other of us.

So in my youth I received mix tapes. In my daughter's youth they received mix CDs. What will my son, Will, put together for his girlfriend in another ten years? A mix download for her cell phone? A mix DVD of photos/videos put to music?

A mix . . . what?