Off to see the world, there’s such a lot of world to see. When I first heard the lyrics of Moon River by Henry Mancini, I was in my chorus class. Mr. Doolittle played it on the piano. I fantasized about being elsewhere and knew then that I wanted to open the doors to travel, adventure, and explore. It was something sitting inside me that was waiting to burst.
Fast forward to fifteen years later and watching Breakfast at Tiffany’s on video, a man I date tells me that my need for freedom and style is akin to Holly Go Lightly. Again I am transported only this time to a specific location; New York City. A few months later I embarked on my first trip there.
Music has played such a large role in my life it was no accident that I unconsciously married a musician, and although it didn’t last, the times when there was music in the house, I felt happiest.
For many years, I began my day listening to music. The top 40, not the news, morning television shows, or breakfast set my day's tone. If I didn’t like what I’d heard, I switched it up and put on my music to dance. I needed to get in 15-30 minutes before I showered to start the day.
So where am I going with this you ask? Music has the power to take us into other worlds. One of the best gifts anyone can give me is music. We often feel unknown or misunderstood by our family members, but just because they don’t verbalize does not mean they don’t understand.
My father always had music on in the car and when he was at home. I’d place my bare feet on his slippers and we would dance. As a teen, my mother expressed how she enjoyed my choices in music and would give me money to expand my collection. I once gave my oldest brother a list I wanted for Christmas thinking he would choose a few and in true Santa Claus fashion, he supplied me with the entire list. My younger brother took me to the opera and musicals for my birthday.
Yesterday evening I was in Sprouts, scouting the supplement aisle when this song came on. It was what they call déjà reve, a kind of floating and I was in Frankfurt again, the American and her Frenchman and we were in love, and dancing to La valse, and while I listened, I looked out the window at the gray clouds and a little ray shone its way through. It was a wonderful feeling to go back.
I have spent the last year joyously thinking about today and my future, not looking to the past but this little detour was a time travel episode that I savored and music took me there.
And so, just as I share this little journey with you, I will add that listening to music that you love, will open the gate to follow your heart, lead you beyond city sidewalks and skyscrapers, and just may take you back into romance and around the world. Bon Voyage!
Yes, Fall,is here.😘