The soundtrack of my life

Some days, I determine what kind of day it’s going to be based on the first CD I listen to. For awhile, I started off every day with James Blunt’s “You’re Beautiful.” A few months ago, when I needed some attitude to get through the mornings, it was Bon Jovi’s “Have a Nice Day.” When I’m particularly struck by the beauty of the world God created and overwhelmed by His love for me, it’s always something by Andrew Peterson. Today’s soundtrack, you ask? David Gray’s album Life in Slow Motion.

Maybe it’s because this morning is kind of gray and overcast, more worthy of crawling back under the covers and hibernating than actually getting up and trying to accomplish, well, anything. Maybe it’s because my next door neighbor’s alarm clock blaring bad music woke me up at 4 a.m. and didn’t get turned off quickly enough. Maybe it’s because I’m sore because of some tough cardio workouts and a Piloga (pilates/yoga) class at the Y that proved how ungraceful I really am! I don’t know, but today, David Gray’s my boy. There’s something in his music that just appeals to the melancholy me that got out of bed today. It’s beautiful, but it’s heartbreakingly beautiful. It’s beauty tinged with sadness, life marred by death. It’s soaring high notes and heartwrenching melodies mixed with declarations of love and just a touch of sadness. Those of you who know me would say I like him because he’s in my favorite groups of musicians, the singer/songwriters. But it’s more than that. I feel like he’s singing about life—the joyous, happy, over-the-top moments mixed with the sad ones, the things we don’t think we can bear, the anger and frustration. It’s simply about real life. I’m not so naive that I think life is going to be that perfect fairy tale full of beautiful ladies (me being the most beautiful), handsome princes, and happily-ever-afters. But every once in awhile, like this week when I’ve been overwhelmed and overloaded by a landslide of deadlines at work and worries with friends and family, I’d just like for the fairy tale to come true, just this once. Who knows? Maybe today the slipper will fit!

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