Favorite Music

I was reading a friend's blog and she was talking about the importance music plays in her life. She mentioned songs that she associated with certain people or events. Then she asked if we had certain songs/music that remind us of someone or something. I decided to answer that question in my blog instead of through comments on her blog.

As most of you know music is a big part of my life. I love to sing and grew up singing in church and other places with my sisters Mich and Jeri. I love to lead choirs and have twice had the opportunity to be a choir director in church. I never knew I had the talent for it until I got the calling. I love to play the viola and am in a community orchestra. I was in the Southwest Symphony in St. George from age 14 until I moved away at age 21. Several years ago the bug hit me to get back in an orchestra so I found the Symphony West Orchestra to join after 17-1/2 years of not being in an orchestra. Because I very rarely played my viola in those intervening years I am not very good (not that I ever really was), but I LOVE it. Symphony West isn't that great of an orchestra, but it is full of people like me who once played, love to play and want to play again. If you are the same way, please join us! We NEED more people! My best experiences so far in that orchestra involve getting to play with my son, Jordan, who played percussion in a few concerts and getting to play Beethoven's Fifth. I practiced like never before for it and I personally did the best job I have ever done!

But now back to memories music brings. There are too many to name, but there are a few that stand out in my mind and heart more than others.

1. The hymn I Need Thee Every Hour reminds me of my dad. I remember him saying once when I was young that it was his favorite hymn. My mom and other siblings do not remember him saying that, but I do. When he suddenly passed away in 1997 I sang that hymn at his funeral along with my nephew Tyler and my niece Andrea. I had a cold plus I was crying like crazy so it didn't sound too great, but it was special to me. Exactly two weeks after he passed away we had 4 Elders over for dinner. They always leave a message after the dinner and that day they decided to sing a hymn. Then they started to sing I Need Thee Every Hour! I cried and cried and after they were done explained to them how much it meant to me. I had been having a very tough time with the sudden loss of my father and I truly feel that the elders choosing to sing that hymn at that time was a Tender Mercy of the Lord. It really helped me to deal with the loss and get on with my life. I did have sudden feelings of loss off and on for months after, but the singing of that hymn by the elders helped me a lot.
2. My favorite hymn has always been I Know That My Redeemer Lives. One of the reasons is because of the beautiful message and beautiful music. Another is because I always have memories of singing it with my sisters, Mich and Jeri. We sang it together several times. Those memories are even more precious since Jeri passed away last November.
3. Now to the non-secular music memories. This one involves the song Keep on Loving You by REO Speedwagon. Every time I hear that song I think of my first big crush, Kirk Chambers (obviously not the same Kirk Chambers that we know who plays football for the Buffalo Bills!). That song was playing on the radio when I went for a ride in his truck with him and some of his friends. I had had a crush on him for several years and that was the first time I felt he liked me the same way. That was the only night I felt that way, though. I found out later that he was the biggest flirt alive! Now every time I hear that song it makes me sad because I found out that Kirk passed away in his mid-20's. But I will always think of my first big crush when I hear that song.
4. This will be my last one. It involves a relatively unknown Bryan Adams song called I'll Always Be Right There. It perfectly conveys my feelings for my wonderful, amazing husband. It brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it or even think of the words. And Alpine was with me when we went to a Bryan Adams concert and heard him perform it live. It was wonderful! Here are the lyrics:

I'll Always Be Right There

I swear to you - I will always be there for you - there's nothin' I won't do
I promise you - all my life I will live for you - we will make it through
Forever - we will be
Together - you and me
Oh n' when I hold ya - nothin' can compare
With all of my heart - ya know I'll always be right there

I believe in us - nothin' else could ever mean so much
You're the one I trust our time has come - we're not two people
Now we are one - ya you're second to none
Forever - we will be
Together - a family
The more I get to know ya - nothin' can compare
With all of my heart - ya know
I'll always be right there

Forever - we will be
Together - just you and me
The more I get to know ya - the more I really care
With all of my heart - ya know
I'll always be...Ya know I really love ya - ya nothin' can compare
For all of my life - ya know I'll always be...right there

I would love to hear what songs/music has special meaning to you and why. Please share! Thanks, Katie, for this idea!