Up & Down – a personal blog

I was going to write a post about how I’m doing, but I can sum that up simply by saying I’m feeling much better than yesterday.  I also thought about sharing the playlist from the walk I just completed, but as I thought about how much I enjoy my music and rely on it to help me get through my walk, I realized I probably have something different I can share – about the gift of music.

As I think about my day, much of it has music involved in one way or another whether this be while driving or when on my computer (I always have iTunes playing) or even while stealing some happy moments with my Playstation 3 and rockin’ it out with Guitar Hero.  Then, of course, there is my hobby of playing guitar.  Music is all around me, no matter which way I turn.

I have dabbled with guitar since I was 18, but my introduction to music, or at least playing an instrument, goes back to when I was about 8 years old when my parents signed me up for organ lessons.  I give them a lot of credit for I don’t believe there is anything more frustrating than trying to get a young child to sit down and practice a half hour a day, but they did it.  I think I was about 11 when they stopped, maybe 12 and it was likely due to my stubbornness as I much preferred to be out playing than to be sitting at some silly organ practicing songs nobody else knew.

Even though I took music lessons at 8, my exposure to people and instruments started… well the minute I popped out of the womb and into the big wide world as my father has always played guitar.  In fact, my whole family – aunts & uncles, and even my grandmother (she lived with us) all played musical instruments, and in most cases, several different ones.  I can remember many a family gatherings where the banjo, ukulele, accordion, autoharp, and guitars were all pulled out… a whole room of people playing and singing – gives me goosebumps just to think about it.  I also have some very fond memories of my grandmother playing her organ, singing and playing “You are My Sunshine” (not the original version, but I like this one… I can take writers latitude if I want!)  for me.  <brief pause while I go all warm and fuzzy thinking about it now>

We don’t seem to have the big family gatherings any more; my grandmother has passed on but . . . this wonderful thing called music, and the gift of being able to play an instrument has been handed down to me and all my brothers.  My one younger brother is a very talented musician and he is the one I attend the Farmer’s Market with.  Every Friday night we get together and practice some of the songs we will sing on Saturday, but mostly I think I frustrate him in my inability to learn the bridge to “Tequila Sunrise.”  LOL.  My other two brothers, each play the guitar, the oldest not so seriously, and the other younger one seems to have gotten more into playing the last couple of years.  I absolutely love it when he, and the brother I play with on Saturdays and I can all get together to sing and play – each of us claiming a different octave, and belting out some old standby’s.

Music has saved my life on many ocassions.  When I was 18 and fell on the chainsaw, the rehab for my arm (I had severed my thumb tendon) was piano – but – playing the piano was also therapy for my injured soul and self-esteem at that time.  When totally and utterly depressed, I have been able to pick up the guitar and express myself through music.  During the episode of depression that I experienced 5 years ago, I had developed a nasty stutter (due to medications we found out later,) but picking up the guitar and playing offered me some release – I did not stutter, and I could vent.

So, it would be fair to say, that music permeates just about every area of my life.  I’m pleased as I think I can finally appreciate how much of a gift music is – the ability to enjoy it, the added blessing of being able to play an instrument and sing.

I am a lucky lady.  I must remember to thank my parents for the gift of music they gave me.

Bye for now.

PS.  While looking for youtube video for You Are My Sunshine, I came across this little gem.  I almost fell off my chair laughing as I watched it.  I had to share