It’s 11:11pm, and I am in a Holiday Inn about 4 1/2 hours from home in Eastern PA where I will be speaking at a conference tomorrow on “Using Social Media in Healthcare to Meet, Engage, and Retain Patients” for the Central PA Chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE).  I’m looking forward to it and hope it will be an engaging talk.

Before I turn in, I wanted to do my “homework.”  Today’s #Writing101 Assignment:  Write about the three most important songs in your life — what do they mean to you?

Music is such a wonderful expression of feelings and emotions, and I was able to quickly come up with three that came to mind immediately that represent important moments and people in my life.  (And I even have to add a bonus one!)

So here goes:

#1:  “You’re Still the One” by Shania Twain

When Marty turned 40 about 15 years ago (holy shmoly – where did that time go?!), I threw a surprise party for him.  At that party, I had this song played for us to dance to.  At that point, we had been married 17 years.   I was 19 and he was 23 when we married that April afternoon 32 years ago.  At the time, I thought the lyrics were so perfect and appropriate, and they are even more so now.  It has become “our song.”

Looks like we made it. Look how far we’ve come, my baby. We mighta took the long way. We knew we’d get there someday.
They said, “I bet they’ll never make it.” But just look at us holding on. We’re still together, still going strong.
You’re still the one I run to – the one that I belong to. You’re still the one I want for life.
You’re still the one that I love – the only one I dream of. You’re still the one I kiss good night.
Ain’t nothing better. We beat the odds together. I’m glad we didn’t listen. Look at what we would be missing.

#2: “What a Wonderful World” by Louie Armstrong

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2VCwBzGdPM

I have always loved this classic – the words, the instruments – Louie’s raspy passion when he sings it.  It always makes me feel so grateful – makes me realize the simple pleasures – makes me think to myself what a wonderful world…

So when Jake and Colleen were planning their wedding last summer, Jake asked me what song I would like to dance with him to for the Mother-Son Dance.  I immediately chose this one, and he immediately agreed to thinking it was a great choice.  (And those that know Jake know that is a monumental occasion)

During the weeks prior to the wedding, I listened to it over and over.

And over and over.

And over and over.

Until I could get through it without crying.

And the day of the wedding, when Jake and I danced to this beautiful song, all I could do was smile and be happy and hug and hold him tight.

But the even more awesome thing was when a year later at Jackie’s wedding (the oldest daughter of my BFF Jill), the DJ played this song, and Jake sought me out from another room and escorted me onto the dance floor to dance to “our song.”  This time I had tears in my eyes…

#3:  “What a Difference You’ve Made in My Life” by Ronnie Milsap

I’ve shared this one before here at this post – The Journey Back to Daddy’s Girl.

This is the song I played over and over when I was reunited with my Dad four years ago.  For at least a year, neither he nor I could listen to it without crying tears of love and gratitude.

For our first Christmas together after 30+ years, I made a CD of songs for him, and this was the first one I put on it.

It will always be “our song.”

 
And for the bonus one I mentioned – way back in the beginning – I had to share this photo that was in Marty’s work newsletter, The Cranberry Township Staff Lines.  KUDOS to the witty writer who captioned this photo that sure made me one proud mudder!

He aint heavy – he’s my brother.

I forgot how much I love this song.

More tears……….

at life in between.

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi