You say it's your birthday...

For my 46th birthday I share with you the gift of music. Music that has touched me throughout my life and made the journey, deeper, more meaningful, and better. (Bear with me, I'm well known for my taste in bad music.)



I grew up listening to whatever music my mother had in the house, so I blame her for my addiction to the Osmonds. I first discovered them singing "Downtown" on a Parade of Hits album she had. This is a video of one of my favorite songs they did. It was great in concert. I know, totally 70's, but hey, this is my retrospective, not yours. :-)



My mother used to work 3rd shift at I.B.M. when I was growing up in upstate New York. Once she'd left, I'd get up and turn on the radio to listen to Joe Bloomer's Golden Oldie Show. I would call in on a regular basis and request this song. I'm sure Mr. Bloomer got sick of the request, but he generously played it for me each time.



Also throughout the 70s and a few years into the 80s I spent a great deal of time trying to duplicate Olivia's hair, look and singing voice. Well what young girl at that time didn't? Here's a great one, combining fantasy and music. Ahhh.



Of course, I came of age during the 80s. Thank God for 80s music! It was such happy, dancing, exciting music. It still makes me feel good. Back before iPods or Walkmans, if you wanted to take your music with you, you loaded up giant batteries in your boom box and hit the road. I loved to ride my bike on the trails near Charlotte, NC and would strap a small boombox to the front of my bike and crank the music as I tore through the trails. This was one of my favorite songs to blast.


Into all lives a little rain must come and 80s music was there for me when my heart got broken as well.


I discovered the music of Kenny Loggins in the 80s as well. He became well known for all the music soundtracks he did (Top Gun, Footloose, among others) and his music was heart pounding and drove you to dance. I didn't become a fan though until the 90s when he went through a hard divorce and began moving toward a more spiritual nature in his songs. This, among many of his songs, kept me company as I found my way through my own divorce and single parenthood.



I discovered so much music during the divorce period, Nanci Griffith, Sarah MacLachlan, Celtic and folk music. It opened all sorts of windows in my psyche and helped me see there was this huge world out there and so many possibilities. It really helped bring light to my life during the dark times.



Into all lives, a lot of love should come. Who knew what was in store for me. I met M and my world was turned upside down. I spent 3 years watching her from a safe distance, denying my attraction and being confused. When I finally got my courage up and we started dating, she introduced me to many new musical artists, my favorite is Dar Williams. This was one of the first Dar songs she introduced me to. Finally after a lifetime of being with all the wrong people, I finally found someone who really sees me as I am and loves me anyway. How cool. What a great birthday I will have, just because I've finally reached this good point in my life. Thanks to M, to L and P and all my family and friends for being there for me over the years. Thanks also for the music.