I Know the Heart of Life is Good.

My Mom is an avid Neil Diamond Fan. She can't get enough, his music really hits a nerve with her and growing up, we all learned to appreciate "Neil Baby" as we lovingly call him: like it or not. Whether boating, camping, making dinner or in the car his songs(along with the likes of CCR, Buddy Holly and Simon and Garfunkel--thanks Daddy ;))
comprise the soundtrack of my childhood.

Even today, if my mom finds a song that speaks to her, about you, she makes sure to share it with you.
This is something that I learned to appreciate and now relish in as an adult--even though my mom has gone severely to what I consider the dark side of music(Country) I still find it so flattering and overwhelming that she is always thinking of me--something I hope to understand one day when I have my own children.

I have always had an acute awareness of lyrics--In fact, one of my many memories with my Daddy is on a rare occasion, we were on a road trip together, just him and me. We were listening to one of his tapes(yes tapes) and I was singing along. He turned to me suddenly and said: "how do you know every single one of the words to every one of these songs?!" At the time I shrugged it off and we kept on driving--but that moment stuck with me for some reason-funny what we carry with us--
Even today I often will forgive hokey or otherwise untalented musicality for stirring lyrics(much to Doug's dismay)

I realize that using song lyrics to make a point can be
corny but sometimes I just can't help it. I guess along with being a night owl and being flat chested Mom just passed that one right along. When I find a song that
speaks to me I just feel connected to other people.
I feel like I am not alone in being in love, happy, having
a perfectly perfect day or being just plain devastated.
Call it a coping mechanism, and mock it if you must, but it works for me.

While I was working out last week this song came on
and I have to say, it opened my heart and healed it a little.
It felt so good that I paused right in the middle of the sidewalk, closed
my eyes and just basked in it.

I have a feeling that John Mayer is going to be my Neil Diamond
All together now can I hear a "John Baby"? Ah well, maybe in 20
years I will be lucky enough to have Daughters that make fun
of my somewhat questionable taste in music.

Until then: Here is one for Mom, One for Daddy
I like to think that they were passing on wisdom
and courage in the songs that they chose to serenade
me with throughout my childhood. Guys, I listened.

Thanks now and always

Neil Baby:




"The Heart Of Life"

I hate to see you cry
Lying there in that position
There's things you need to hear
So turn off your tears
And listen

Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
No it won't all go the way it should
But I know the heart of life is good

You know, it's nothing new
Bad news never had good timing
Then, circle of your friends
Will defend the silver lining

Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
No it won't all go the way it should
But I know the heart of life is good

Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
Fear is a friend who's misunderstood
But I know the heart of life is good
I know it's good