I have always been a writer. From the earliest days of scribbling down stories in crayon, to a career of publication in various platforms as an adult, I have always found myself attracted to the written word. After years of hibernation, I started blogging in response to grief. On May 28, 2010, I began a new journey. Rather than a continued response, I entered a new phase. Blogging was more of a recreational surprise than anything that I may have used for professional means. At first, I lacked the experience to fully understand the process of blogging, particularly on a long-term basis. It was more of a silent entry than a boastful delivery. The first outpourings were simple, simple and consciously limited. "Baby steps" was something my journalism professors held in high regard. "Keep it simple, stupid" was engrained in my psyche along with the idea of "When in doubt, don't."
Sitting down to create out of nothing was not a difficult task. The journey was more revelation than study. When the idea of penning a book became an option, evolving out of my work seemed more dictational task than an easy expression of my truth. With more than 10 years of blogging behind me, the direction I take now seems set. The problem remains. More than 1, 000 blogs leaves little room for chronology. Taking something I once posted and turning it into an appropriate presentation seems strained to me at times. Picking what one will include in any book is the very challenge before me. So I take each blog and than I dissect it. On occasion, as I go along, I will post that dissection. I find it important to continue the blogging traditions I have maintained over the last decade or so. At this point, I need to discover how to separate the two.
If there is one thing my parents gave to me besides unconditional love, it is my love of music. My earliest memories are of sitting with my father, in our basement, listening to old LPs. I can hear my Mom singing along to John Denver, on the stereo, as she baked Lemon Cupcakes with Icing Sugar Sprinkles. My entire life has been one big symphony, a mosaic of this style and that genre. I was raised on Country, Gospel, Standards and Showtunes. From Dean Martin and the Mamas and the Papas; from the Sound of Music and Evie Karlsson, there is little I don't, at least, appreciate. I am a classical music junkie. I have an affinity for modern Christian pop. Although I am not a fan of many contemporary forms of music, I do like some of it. I discover new music around every corner.
I cannot recall any part of my life without a soundtrack. The days behind me now are layered. They rise and they fall, an Arpeggio of sorts. With the death of my Mother, the influence of her musical tastes has become like a neoclassical canon. She introduced me to Vivaldi and Brahms and she was instrumental when it comes my appreciation of the religious/gospel/ Christian genres. There was a time when I tried to pay her back. For years, each Christmas I created a playlist on CD for her to listen to through the holidays. When she developed breast cancer in 2008, which she survived, I began to create compellation CDs for her to listen too. Spiritual songs seemed to grant her hope, it gave her fortitude and eased some of the fear and pain she battled throughout her last days. It is these compilations which inspired me to post an Anthology of said songs, a tapestry one may say, of the words and melodies which engrained themselves so deeply into my being throughout all of the years I have known my parents. Rather quickly, the idea itself morphed. I began to use lyrics as part of the blog rather than most of the blog. I still use them just the same, in almost every one. Most of them will have to go once condensed for general publication.
In a sense, the music of my life has been more of a evolution than mere journey. What appeals to me is engrained in me. I am, after all, my Mother and my Father. I think that was the lesson I took from the beginning of my blogging adventure. It seems that the simplest things hold the most meaning. Music and resulting Praise and Jubilation are things we all tend to take for granted. It can be a challenge to focus on what is really important. Things like music are essential to survival, at least for me. When I stop and look back on my time with my family, I am drawn to the lyrics and the orchestration. My mind starts to sing along. Suddenly, once again, I see cupcakes.
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