April 8, 2013

I Love Music

I have been thinking a lot about music lately.  I got asked a question a while back, and I have really struggled to come up with an answer.  Someone asked me, "What is a song that defines you?"  I have been trying to think of a song that really defines who I am, and it's not so easy.  I feel like I have been defined by so many moments in my life, and I have a song that represents each and every one of them.  Thus, I decided to write a post about some songs.

I Hope You Dance by Leann Womack
When this song came out, I was probably about 10.  I was driving somewhere with my mom, and she played this song.  I can't remember who else was in the car with us, but my mom told us that this was her hope for us.  When I first heard it, I remember telling her that I didn't understand it.  She told me that I would someday, and that she just wanted us to know that it was her hope for us.  I think I understand it now, and I really love this song.  To me, it means living life to it's fullest, ceasing every moment, and not having regrets.
 

Lord, I Hope This Day is Good by Don Williams
One of my fondest memories with my dad when I was growing up was when we would take many, many drives up the canyon just because we could.  More often than not we would put on some Don Williams as we drove.  This song in particular comes to mind, and I don't know if I can fully explain the reasoning behind it.  My dad is a wonderful example to me of simple faith.  He has shown me and taught me how, in times when we need it, we really can rely on the Lord and each other. 

100 Years by Five For Fighting
Sometimes, life seems unbearable.  Other times, life is filled with moments that go far too fast.  Ever since I first heard the beautiful piano in this song, the music and lyrics have resonated with me.  I don't think I've found a more beautiful example of how quickly life goes and how little time we actually have.  This song inspires me to be better, stronger, and more than I am.  After all, life goes by faster than we expect.

An Olive Grove Facing the Sea by Snow Patrol
When Erik first came home from his mission, he came over to my house late one night, laid next to me on the couch, put one ear bud in my ear, another in his ear, and said I found a song that makes me think of you. He proceeded to playing this song, and told me that a lot of changes were happening but that he really did love me.  Since then, this has kind of been our song-at least in my mind.  It's a song I have listened to many times, and I love it more and more every time I hear it.  Erik knows more about me than anyone I know, and the fact that he has seen my darkest, brightest, and weirdest moments, and loves me in spite of it all means the world to me.  I am grateful to have him in my life, and truly don't know where I would be without him.


I guess I'll stop with those songs for now.  I think I will post some more at a later time.  After all, music is beautiful and wonderful and I love it :-)!  I don't know who, or if many people read my blog, but I would love to hear about any songs that mean something to others.  I love new music, and I love hearing how music touches people, so please share!


January 18, 2013

Thoughts and Ramblings

It's interesting to me the moments that make you sit back and think.  I find it interesting that it takes moments of immense joy, or immense tragedy to pull us out of our day to day life and really get us to think about our existence.  

I guess with that opening I should give a bit of a back story.  Two years ago on December 31, my Grandpa passed away.  Throughout the holidays and the new year, he is at the forefront of my mind.  I miss him dearly, but I have a firm testimony that through Heavenly Father's plan I will see him again.  This year amidst the thoughts of my Grandpa, on January 7, my dad's best friend, a man who truly was a part of our family, passed away in a tragic helicopter accident in Peru.  His funeral is tomorrow and It is another one of those moments that pulls me back.

Lee was a big part of my families life.  He meant a lot to us with his teasing, sarcastic, but always caring personality.  I specifically remember a time a few winters ago when it had snowed so much that no one could get out of our neighborhood.  I had to work up in Provo, and the entire neighborhood was out trying to get to work.  Lee was on one of his off times from his job in Peru, and I remember him coming up in his four wheeler with his plow and he started working on digging me out.  It was one of his very first thoughts on that cold winter morning to bring his four-wheeler up and help my family.  It's hard to come across someone who cares that much about people he's not even related too. Though I didn't see Lee all the time, he has a special place in my heart, and it is hard to imagine that he is gone.  From the time my step-sister and I sat in her basement trying to decide if he was mean or not, to the moment Lee walked in my house asking, "Tava-lou, how are you?" I am truly surrounded by memories of a man who will forever be remembered.

Thus the moment that pulls you back.  You truly never know when you are going to have something happen that changes you somehow.  It makes you realize how important it is to appreciate every moment you have.  

I don't think of myself as one that really mourns someone's death.  In my mind, I know that these individuals who leave this earth before me are in a better place.  I know that I can see them again.  I know that there is a plan.  I even feel very deeply that all of them would look at me and say, "You have better things to do than cry over me.  Do them." I think the hard part is knowing that you have to wait, and seeing other people work there way through the tragedy. 

I guess maybe we should find ways in our life to pull ourselves back.  Live up the moments that we have while we have them, and never stop caring.  If we do, what do we have to regret? What do we have to miss? I am grateful for all the moments that I had with my Grandpa, with Lee, with all those who have passed, and I look forward to the moments I am having now and will have with those in my life.  

So, be happy.  We are supposed to be happy.