Driving Sadness Away

It was a very sad day for a family I have known for 24 years. It’s not my story to tell, but I have had them in my prayers all day. I tried to go about my day, but the sadness kept creeping in.

I have heard from a number of people who have been having hard days. There is so much sadness that takes a long time for people to process. On my way home from teaching in Raleigh tonight I started to listening to NPR and it was a sad story. I couldn’t deal with anymore sadness.

So I changed the station to the 70’s on 7 and stumbled upon a replay of Casey Kasem doing the American Top 40 from April of 1977. Not a great period in musical history, but since I was on the cusp of turning 16 it was a group of songs that I had in my memory. All the way home I was singing along, albeit very badly. Before I knew it I was home and it was the only half hour in my day I was not sad.

It is amazing how music from your teens can take you out of your situation and fill you up in a different way. I welcomed the break and the knowledge that if I am feeling low I can change the situation my immersing myself in familiar music. It helped that none of the songs were particularly sad, nor were they particularly good, but it was hard not to get into KC and the sunshine band and forget everything else.

Easier for music to take me out of the sadness because it is not my tragedy. For those who are dealing with a serious heart break I hope that loving memories can hold you tight through these dark days and know that the sun will shine again. May music soothe your soul and your dear ones keep you close.