Day 01 — A Favorite Song

Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything. ~ Plato

I am not lucky enough to be musically talented. But I am lucky enough to be surrounded by music daily. I am appreciative of it. I am moved, rejuvenated and entranced by it. I am hopelessly addicted to it.

To choose only one favorite song seems an impossible feat. Music evokes memories, dreams, and regrets even. I can be transported in an instant to a time and place in my past when I hear particular songs. If I hear the Carpenters, especially "Top of the World", I'm a small child singing at the top of my lungs riding in the back seat of the car driving through northern California.

If I hear ANY 80's music, I'm immediately back in junior high and high school. I remember when "Freakazoid" wa a song by Midnight Star before it was a cartoon character. I also remember getting my groove on at junior high dances at the youth center on the AF base where we lived at the time. If I hear Journey, I'm in that youth center playing pool. Def Leppard's "Love Bites" brings me directly back to senior prom while "Pour Some Sugar on Me" sends me to Chem II class. When in Rome's "The Promise" finds me working late nights at the grocery store bakery cleaning sheet pans, proofers and ovens.

Ironically, I remember road trips through the Texas panhandle when I hear "Anchorage" by Michelle Shocked.

Certain hymns remind me of my parents; "Open Our Eyes, Lord" reminds me of my dad and "Here I Am, Lord" reminds me of my mom. That particular song also reminds me of my time as a missionary in Mexico. A friend of mine had "Here I Am, Lord" played during her wedding mass and I was reduced to tears when I heard the first few bars of music. Embarrassing, and yet unavoidable.

If I hear Veggie Tales or Backstreet Boys, I'm immediately reminded of dancing around the living room in my small apartment in Euless when my son was a lot younger. These days he's constantly telling me to listen to this indie band, or rapper, or soulful ingenue that happens to be a friend of a friend. And I'd have it no other way. Music feeds my soul.

"For Once In My Life" makes me giddy as I remember dancing with my husband on our wedding day. "Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone" plays in my head in his voice as he sings it to me when he's missing me. Whether it's because I've been away on travels or he's just been down the road at the office.

But I'm telling you all now, and someone better speak up if they don't hear it, on the day of my funeral at some point I want all of you to hear "In My Life" by The Beatles. And then, when you're down at the pub raising glasses and sharing war stories about me, be sure to sing "Phenomena" by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs at the top of your lungs followed by KC and the Sunshine Band's "Boogie Shoes." In other words, make it a party!