Have you ever heard a song and instantly been transported back to a place and time when that song played? That's what happened to me this morning.
I heard "Hey Jude" by the Beatles and instantaneously I was at a high school dance in a church basement! It was a Friday night. I had such a crush on the guy I was dancing with. I never wanted the song to end. How is it that I can remember all of that?
People experience things in different ways. For me, music seems to be the one avenue to lock things into my memory for years. I memorized the multiplication tables from a series of rhythmic songs on little 45's. I figured out how to remember the plays of Shakespeare by developing a verse. Perhaps American History would have been easier for me if I had been able to hear the roots music of the time.
I have been writing/reflecting on people in my life and find that I want to connect them to specific songs or performers. For instance, when I think of my dad, the song that comes to mind is "Tumbling Tumble Weeds" by the Sons of the Pioneers. When I think of my mom, I think of the Lawrence Welk show.
And on and on the memories go.
So today, although I have never been a musician, my thought is that I am so grateful for the music in my life. It seems to be the rhythm of my memories!
