After six months of writing, I am coming to the realization that writing is hard.  Not the writing itself – I love putting words to paper – but choosing that subject that speaks to people on a deeply emotional level, whether it be joy or despair.  I believe people can sense the truth in writing and know when you’re just trying to write something you think others will like but is most likely not a real extension of yourself.  I have been struggling with titles of late because I think it’s important to catch the reader’s attention.  But I know what keeps the reader’s attention is the content, the reality they can relate to or perhaps an unreality where people wish they lived.  So tonight as I walk a bit down memory lane, I hope that you’ll take a walk with me.

For the last half hour I’ve been singing with Karen. What a voice.  I remember when I was a teenager that singing with her was such a challenge.  Her range stretched mine and I think I learned to breathe better when I sang phrases with her.  She stretched me emotionally with thoughtful lyrics.  It was like she was speaking directly to me through those lyrics.  Singing with her tonight took me back, only it’s a bit easier to sing in her range now and the phrasing comes naturally.  I remember every word and can actually return to my pink and purple “girly” bedroom where I would sit on the floor with my big fuzzy pillows singing my heart out.  I need Karen because without her and others, I might not have any memories of my past.

Barry is another one I love to sing with.  Not the world’s greatest voice, mind you, but wow could he write a melody, and I’m a sucker for a great melody.  People either loved or hated him, but I couldn’t get enough.  Despite people making fun of his love for modulations and power ballads, I was hooked – a fan.  And I’m grateful to him because without him I might not have some great memories.  One of my best memories was dancing to one of his tunes at a band dance with someone who never asked me out, but for some reason that night asked me to dance to that song.  It still makes me smile.

And so, I’m grateful to Elton, Billy, Barbra, Donna, Donny, and so many others because when I hear their songs or sing their lyrics it brings back memories that might otherwise be lost.  You see, for whatever reason, I have very few memories of my past.  Nothing before age five and very few during my elementary and middle school years.  High school was better, largely due to the fact that I was always immersed in music.  And anytime I hear that music I’m taken back to the local soda fountain at the drug store or laying on the patio sunning while listening to the radio or hanging out at a sleepover or sitting with friends on a band trip.

There are times when I really want to know what I’m missing; what are those memories I can’t remember and why can’t I remember them?  Maybe I don’t want to remember them.  And in the meantime, I know I can rely on the music to almost always bring a happy memory to my mind and a smile to my face.

Sometimes, because music is what I do for a living, I’ll tire of the music I use to teach with and I seek solace in silence.  But there is something about the music from my youth that I never get tired of.  And with the melodies and lyrics come the memories of emotions, people, and places that I cherish.  As I finish this blog while listening to some classic Barbra, I hope this encourages you to embrace the music of your youth so you too can take a walk down memory lane – and smile.