Music

I have certainly been more intuned to music in the last years, and probably have written about it on this blog...one day I will go back and ready some entries, I probably write the same thing everyday! My taste in music has certainly changed and evolved over the years, just last night as Joe and I enjoyed a glass of Napa Valley Chardonnay on the deck, and had the music playing, even he questioned who the artist was...a little out of my normal CD selection. It was David Cook, one of the selected American Idols of the past. He writes and sings beautifully, soulfully, and I probably gravitate to the songs that he has written about his brother, who was by his side throughout the whole season, but lost his battle to brain cancer just recently. Now, David's songs are even more tempered with experience.

This brings me to an experience on Saturday night, attending the American Idol Concert Live in St. Louis. I do my best to sometimes "step out of the box" and do something new and different. When the opportunity came to see what became a favorite group of Jen's and mine and Aunt Kathy's, we decided to go for it. We had many favorites in the top ten, mostly, Danny, Allison, and Adam, but we love Chris, too, and of course, Matt and Scotty. They didn't disappoint! It was just an all around fun night, getting out of the house and taking advantage of living life, especially after a week where the loss of our beloved Barkley overshadowed everything we tried to do. Really, with heavy hearts we are trying to live, live for ourselves and for the spirit of Allison who just truly won't let us rest! So it should have come as no surprise that she was such a part of the evening. With my heart on my sleeve, as always, we ventured out and took part in a great event. As each of our favorites gave us a great show, it was when Danny G. took the stage that we all sort of smiled and bonded, after all, he had won our hearts during the weeks of watching the show...most likely, he has won the hearts of women of all ages! Maybe it is that deep understanding of life that he had at such a young age, just losing his wife, weeks before his audition. Maybe it was that oneness we felt when we listened and knew he was being guided by someone and some being more powerful than his own gift. Maybe it was the way he looked to the heavens and performed better and better each week. Whatever it was, we couldn't wait for him to take the stage. When he sang his songs and we saw the maturity since the show it was obvious that he was created for so much in his life, but when he began to talk about loss and challenges something started stirring inside. He explained that he didn't want to make this about him, and he didn't share his story specifically, but one just knew by what he DID say and what he sang next, that his message is that we can all rise above, we can live in the way we must, and that loss doesn't have to define us. Surely this struck a chord with hundreds, maybe thousands in the audience, but at that moment, I can honestly tell you that for Jen, Aunt Kathy and me, it was if we were the only three there. As the opening notes of his next song began to play, I was rivoted, not really surprised, as he dedicated the song to all who need to know someone is there....and there it was, My Wish, by Rascal Flatts, what has become known to our family as "Allison's Song" after being chosen as a favorite selection, put to music on her celebration of life video. The message was clear, she joined us in spirit, the song reminded us that yes, somebody loves us, we are never alone, a smile will and does come, and that through God's grace we get through every mistake, every challenge, every heartbreak.

Among the three of us there were a few tears, many smiles, the nodding of our heads in complete understanding that this song was meant for us. We held hands and we knew that we will keep going and that Allison sent her wish to us, to keep enjoying life, doing what we can, while we can, and to seize every moment under God's watchful eye.