There are few things in life that I’ve experienced that I might describe as amazing. On that short list of amazing things is the ability of a song to act as a time machine and transport us back to our childhood, a major life event, or a time long forgotten.
Whenever I hear Donnie Hathaway’s “This Christmas” or The Temptations “Silent Night,” it transports me to my childhood which was a gift filled with love, great food, and lots and lots of laughter. My Christmas season can officially begin once I hear those songs.
New Edition’s “With You All the Way” transports me to 1987 — the year I graduated from high school with some of the coolest, kindest, funniest people I’ll ever meet. That was our class song. Another song that reminds me of that 1984 – 1987 time period is a song called “The Horse” by Cliff Nobles & Co. I was in the band, and we played that song at every football game. If you want to see a bunch of teens and their parents get fired up, just play that song. If you’ve ever heard that song, you’re probably bobbing your head right now.
One of my favorite songs of all time didn’t become my favorite because the singer made it so. In fact, I hadn’t even heard the original until a few minutes ago. I heard this song for the first time back in 1988 while in Basic Military Training School (BMTS). The name of the song is “No Other Word for Grace but Amazing,” and it’s by The Talleys. My friend Mary Hardin sang it one night while we were cleaning the communal showers (as we did every night). She had the prettiest teenage voice I’d ever heard–sort of a cross between Anita Baker and Karen Carpenter — smooth as silk. Each night we’d sing something, anything because the acoustics in that shower made us sound amazing. She would sing the lead, and I would always harmonize. We were a good team. Whether we were on kitchen patrol, laundry duty, or running in the Texas heat, we were always together.
A few years ago we found each other on Facebook. Now, that’s amazing! We didn’t have any mutual friends, so I’m not even sure how that happened. I guess it’s Facebook magic. All I know is that I’m grateful to be reunited because it feels so good. Yes, that was intentional — Peaches and Herb’s “Reunited” is yet another of my favorites.
In honor of our friendship and our service to this great nation, here’s one more song that we sang daily — complete with ruffles and flourishes.
I am speechless, which is also amazing and makes you a miracle worker as well! Oh, how dearly I love you, my friend. Truly, what precious memories! Thank you.
When I attended my stepson’s graduation from BMTS in May, I welled up with the anticipation of seeing all the graduates in parade formation. Then I heard the Air Force Song, and I was done. Precious memories indeed.
It’s amazing what music can do. I, too, have been on a journey of reminiscing on some great times since receiving back my CD case from my best friend now that I have a CD player in my car again. That is the beauty of music. Thank you for your service to our country Michelle and to all of the men and women who have some bravely served as well as their families.
Thanks, Charlene. By the way, I’m glad you got most of your CDs back. 🙂 Gotta love friends.
Possibly because of most recent world events I revisited this post (from the Reader :>). I cringe each time I hear a friend or other loved one’s offspring wants to enlist in the military or law enforcement. My guys all paid their dues and then some, some at great personal expense, and I can’t be prouder of them; they are the combined force (taking their orders from the Master, of course) that secures our nation. Again re-inspired by how we are all somehow connected to each other if only by core values, once again, somehow strengthened and my spirits elevated, I thank God for BMTS, especially today. So as I head to my office, Lionel RIchie reminds me “…let the music play – oh…” and I am amazed too.