Please post the link to your weekly Slice of Life in the comments to this post.
Remember, you may also complete the weekly Slice of Life in your Writer's Notebook.
"You are home."
There’s a momentary redirection from the hum-drum “Here we go again” drive to and from school when I can sing along with a favorite like Elton John’s “Daniel” or “Tiny Dancer” or nearly anything by Tom Petty; and, soon – before I know it – I’m five miles closer to home, having reminisced and grinned earnestly as a slideshow of memories and feelings accompanies each song. Hmm, sounds like someone could write a memoir tied to key songs in her life....[Here's brainstorming for a work in progress:]
"You are my sunshine" is the unequivocal vehicle to share some of the innumerable ways my mom has supported me through life; from The Giving Tree for my first birthday to sending a card or note every week throughout my freshman year in college, she's always there to cement my courage and affirm whatever my aspirations take aim at.
"Up on the Roof" and "500 Miles" remind me of childhood exuberance. The soaring happiness felt while singing along with the radio on long or short car rides, like when my mom, my aunts, and I drove a long-awaited wedding dress six-hours-east in time for a new chapter of life to begin.
"Sunday, Bloody Sunday" and "Learning to Fly" for more than a friend from the past, like a male version of myself; I wish things hadn't deteriorated the way that they did - falling away from yourself and me and us.
"Always See Your Face" for a joyful partner who I met for the first time by chance with a nearly tangible push from serendipitous fate. Sidewalk names, string rings, nighttime walks and Muppet-esque bike rides, funny voices, three cloves of garlic in hummus, talk of cosmonauts, a six-year-old can of tuna, "happy, happy" sandwich notes, and the list goes on and on.
These and many other choice songs make me feel at home - sure of myself and real - no matter where I am. They remind me that temporary malaise and bumps in the day-to-day are part of life, too, and will inevitably lead us into fulfilling, new memories.