The first song I remember hearing as a child was "Free Fallin" by Tom Petty. I was around 4 years old and I was instantly drawn to his music. I've been a fan ever since.

When I learned that Tom Petty died on Monday, October 2 at the age of 66 after suffering full cardiac arrest, my heart dropped. As I was driving to class that afternoon, already somber and distraught after hearing about the mass shooting in Las Vegas, the news of Petty's hospitalization and (incorrectly) reported death was mentioned by an afternoon radio host. Although he did not actually pass until late Monday evening hours after being taken off life support, the tears fell down my cheeks. It didn't seem real. "No, no, no," I said to myself in the car as the tears continued to fall.

While I never had the chance to see Tom Petty play a live show or meet him, which is something I'll always regret, his death hit me hard. It felt as if a positive piece of my childhood had died with him.

Tom Petty's music had a profound impact on my life. My first cassette tape was Tom Petty and Heartbreakers and my first CD was Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Full Moon Fever. I remember blasting "I Won't Back Down, "Free Fallin'", "Runnin' Down a Dream" and more of his classics on repeat in the car and in my bedroom.

Tom Petty was and is a rock and roll icon and a legend. His lyrics touched countless people on a deeply personal and spiritual level. Many of us grew up with his music, we danced and partied to his music on warm summer nights, we reminisced over old times and memories of our youth. I still get the same feeling I had as a little girl when I listen to Tom Petty.

His music inspired me and lifted me when I was down. Who doesn't want to sing and rock out when a Tom Petty song comes on the radio or starts playing in a bar? Who doesn't get a smile on their face as they sing right along with the lyrics? Tom Petty is an American icon whose music impacted the lives of many. He is an American icon that many of us love and grew up with. Tom Petty made life better.

Petty was also a progressive. He denounced his use of the confederate flag early in his career during a tour in 1985, stating that "it was downright stupid." In other words, Tom Petty was woke. Not only was he an incredible musician, he was an incredible human being.

Here are some lyrics from Tom Perry's songs that always inspire me or give me chills:

"Well some say life will beat you down
Break your heart, steal your crown
So I've started out, for God knows where
I guess I'll know when I get there" - "Learning To Fly"

"Well, I won't back down
No, I won't back down
You can stand me up at the gates of hell
But I won't back down" ' "I Won't Back Down"

"I wanna glide down over Mulholland
I wanna write her name in the sky
I'm gonna free fall out into nothin'
Gonna leave this world for awhile" -"Free Fallin'"

"Well she was an American girl
Raised on promises
She couldn't help thinkin' that there
Was a little more to life
Somewhere else
After all it was a great big world
With lots of places to run to
Yeah, and if she had to die
Tryin' she had one little promise
She was gonna keep" - "American Girl

The world will never be the same without Tom Petty. He left this earth far too soon, but his music and legacy will live on forever.

"Go after what you really love and find a way to make that work for you, and then you'll be a happy person." - Tom Petty (1950-2017)

Rest easy, Tom. Thank you for bringing joy into my life. I hope you get to dance with Mary Jane for eternity.