My Life in Three Songs

Crazy

Until he died, my Papa was my favorite person.  He was more fun, loving, and inspirational than teachers, aunts & uncles, even my parents.  I loved him best!  He whistled, sang, yodeled and danced.  He would grab my grandma and dance her around the kitchen.  She’d swat at him and he would laugh.  My grandparents frequently threw parties out on the lawn for all their friends.  Papa danced with the ladies and when we were visiting, my Mom was his favorite partner.  As I got older, he would dance with me.  I consider our song to be, “Crazy” by Patsy Cline.  Now, when I hear it, I have to dance.  If nobody will dance with me, I dance alone.

American Pie

I’m not sure when it started, but it had to be after most of the siblings were of drinking age.  Being the oldest, that’s a long, long time ago.  At family get togethers, after a few drinks and before the end of the night, we sang.  All siblings, and later, the in-laws, would link arms and belt out all verses of Don McLean’s, “American Pie”.  Sometimes we would have an entire tavern full of people singing.  It’s now family tradition to have the D.J. play that song at all weddings.  People who don’t know us well, start out thinking we are a strange family, but halfway through the song, you see them singing the chorus with us.  For this family, the music will never die.

Who Am I?

As a born again Christian in 1996, I found a love for contemporary Christian music.  I would sing Chris Tomlin’s songs as I cleaned the house or did gardening.  My sister told me about the group, Casting Crowns sometime around 2008.  Loved, loved, loved their music, still do.  I sang their stuff all day long.  I was singing “Who Am I” one day and stopped what I was doing, sat down and really listened to the words.  “You told me who I am, I am yours.”  I cried.  I listened to it again and cried.  I had been singing the song for months.  Why did it affect me at that time?  I’m sure He had a reason.

 

Writing 101, Day 3.