Are there certain songs that always touch you? I mean always. No matter what you're going through is there some special music that is guaranteed to move and delight your soul? Certain tunes that lift you up when you're feeling low. Maybe even make you weep.
For me, listening to the Carpenters touches something very deep inside me. Karen Carpenter's voice makes me think about the insistent search for true love and the pain of loss. Her music is about constant hopefulness and frequent sadness, very much like living with a chronic medical condition.
"I Know I Need to Be in Love" and "Rainy Days and Mondays" filled me with beautiful dreams for the future with my "One True Love." Someday. The girl of my dreams, who I hadn't yet met.
I wanted to find the one person who was willing to "Love Me for What I Am," for simply being me. And I knew that "I Won't Last a Day Without You" was absolutely accurate when I, as a goofy, sarcastic teen found my precious wife-to-be in high school.
Through the years these special songs have helped me to understand what it means to long for love -- and find it. Even today many beloved songs, including Carpenters classics, bring tears to my eyes. Partly because they are a form of heart-breaking vocal art. But also because of how much has changed since I first heard their soaring melodies, sweet harmonies and touching lyrics. Life is different now. But no matter where I am, what I am struggling with, and what is happening in the moment, their muscial message still moves me.
Now that I'm struggling with new challenges, songs can mean even more. I danced to "Only Yesterday" with my beautiful daughter at her wedding. That was one of the last times I was able to dance before my medical condition became worse, crippling and painful.
So when I hear that song, I tear up at what I've lost due to this disease. Similarly, bittersweet memories arise when I hear another Carpenters favorite, "Touch Me When We're Dancing" because I can't dance with my darling wife any more. At least not like we used to in the good old days...
But no matter what I've lost I still have beautiful music to remind me to reflect with gratitude on the many good things I can still enjoy. As for my sweet wife, the song "I Have You" summarizes the precious gift I have received. And one that I shall always thank the Good Lord for giving me.
How about you? What music helps you get through the hard times? Thanks for listening.
John
P.S. If you'd like to follow my Life with Neuropathy blog, visit lifewithneuropathy.blogspot.com. Find the three lines next to the search button in the upper right hand corner. Then click follow. You'll be notified of my future blogs.
P.P.S. To read further thoughts about neuropathy, please visit Let's Talk about Mobility, Let's Talk about Speed, or Let's Talk about Changes. You can also read about Tennis Balls and walkers, Saying "Owww" when it hurts, dealing with Pain, or the Humor of finding out your personal walker was a star on the TV show Monk! Finally, if you ever find yourself dropping things like I do, please feel free to read this.
Thanks, Simon, for the awesome image. Photo by https://unsplash.com/@simonnoh.
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