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From Castlebar - County Mayo - Columns
Here I am 43 years old, and as long as I can remember I have always LOVED and related heavily to music. Even as a small child! As I write this I am listening to "South city Midnight Lady" by the Doobie Brothers, "Forgiveness" by the Eagles (Don Henley). I have a bigger collection of music than photographs. When I listen to music it is my time machine to my past. Music takes me to the place, the time of year, the feelings, the smells of the seasons, the expressions on friends faces. Music can bring me to my knees in tears, and can inspire me to jump for joy, to feel such happiness inside, I can hardly contain my joy! In high school and college I referred to my music as my friend. I always found great counsel and comfort and expression of feelings in lyrics to a song. My music is my photograph album, I experience the moment, and every song I enjoy has a meaning for me. At dusk I enjoy sitting at the window, looking out at the trees and the sky and listening to music until the room becomes dark. My daughter and I use to Irish step dance, and one of our favorite songs to dance to is "Stolen Kiss" from Lord Of The Dance. Listening to that piece takes me exactly to the time and place and the feeling of pure enjoyment dancing to that song with my daughter, even though I get a few rolls of the eyes from her when I mess up some of the steps. I can close my eyes and there I am. When I listen to music it takes me away.
Listening can be a cathartic escape for a bit from the day-to-day race. Certain pieces can take me to a night blanketed with snow, the sky so white, and the snow so insulating to noise that it is beautiful and quite, a cloudy fall day, tree bark so black against the gray sky, and the sound of leaves crunching underfoot, happy mornings with the sound of chirping birds, green grass, flowers, tulips, summer days, laying on a quilt watching clouds float across the blue sky, and never ending light-filled nights. By listening to my beloved music I can be transported to wonderful times and times filled with endless memories that I can feel. I am happy music touches me so, all the way to my heart and soul. I can’t imagine a world without music, and I am so grateful to those who by their gift as musicians provide such joy in my life. © Copyright 2002 by Castlebar - County Mayo - |
