Time Passages

Why not start with a ride in the way back machine?!

"Time Passages" by Al Stewart is one of those songs that was in heavy rotation--at least on the radio in Flint, Michigan--as I was growing up. It had such an evocative melody and such wistful lyrics that it invoked strong feelings of nostalgia even then. At that time, it brought to mind images of a past not my own: old photographs from dusty albums on my grandparents' bookshelves, my parents' graduation tassels, wedding pictures, 8-tracks and trophies. These signposts from their lives made me look forward to the day I'd have such a wealth of memories of my own.

Listening to the song now--quite a few years later-- it still resonates. I might think of my childhood bedroom and remember the transistor radio (with the puffy Hello Kitty sticker on the front) that I used to play constantly. Or, I remember being 14, sitting in the back seat of my parents' car, my headphones on and music cranked so I could be in my own world. One memory leads to another and another until one captures my attention and I focus, drawing myself back into that place and time. All the associated feelings take hold, too. Old songs are portals into the past; aural photo albums.

When the song ends, I drift back to the present, a little melancholy. These memories remind me to value what I have now. Thinking about people who've been important to me, places I've been and experiences I've come through, I'm grateful. I'm reminded of how fortunate I've been.

One Thing Leads To Another

Every day it seems like I go around with a song or two playing in my head. Usually it's a good thing, like my own personal Muzak, but not quite as annoying. So, I've decided my "song of the day" might be a good place to start each blog post. We'll see what kind of bizarre mix of tunes I come up with. I might even make them a playlist on my iPod!