Image credit: www.webdesign.org
Guest Writer: Darby
Carefully, I place the fragile round disc into the CD player. The small reflective device contains not just music, but a world of sounds, of emotions, of memories.
Track 01. The clashing yet euphonious sounds of “Bohemian Rhapsody” swirl around me. Unlike any ordinary song, it defies its accepted structure. From ballad, to opera, to guitar, to hard rock, it is not a slave to any one genre. It’s a song that is well known, that everyone loves and respects.
“Bohemian Rhapsody” is much like my mom. It is truly one of a kind. It’s chaotic yet systematic. Conventional yet sensational. Complicated yet effortless.
Track 02. The nonsensical bliss that is “Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)” instantly heightens my mood. Humor is its greatest quality. Grins appear on the faces of those who listen. Its simplistic lyrics are to its advantage. Easy to become familiar with, the brief song undoubtedly creates a lasting impression. One usually finds herself humming its lighthearted melody for days on end.
My dad truly is “Pretty Fly (For a White Guy).” A song that is hard not to like.
Track 03. Shifting moods, the breathtakingly brilliant ballad of “Live Like You Were Dying” consumes the room. Its message is simple – change is interminable. Change occurs in our family, in our circle of friends, in our relationships, in ourselves. And as a result of this change, we need to be prepared. This song inspires me to do so. Whenever I’m at my low points in life, I skip to this song. It humbles me. It enlivens me.
My brother inspires me to “Live Like You Were Dying.” To try new things, appreciate what I have, and know that just as the sun invariably illuminates the nighttime sky, life will go on. It is truly the most inspiring song I know.
Track 04. “Bless the Broken Road” begins to play – the final track. Its powerful lyrics preach to not only embrace the good aspects of life, but the bad ones as well. To not falter when faced with adversity because the darkness in life is necessary. I embrace this view of life. And for that reason, “Bless the Broken Road” is me. Despite the ups and downs I’ve had in my life, I wouldn’t change any of it.
I am blessed to be on this broken road because it has shaped, challenged, and lead me to where I am today.
I would feel incomplete without these songs in my life. As I listen to my short but splendid CD, I marvel at “Bohemian Rhapsody”, grin at “Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)”, praise “Live Like You Were Dying”, and feel at ease when listening to “Bless the Broken Road.” I love my CD, and I will take it with me wherever I go. I look forward to adding more songs to my collection, but will always admire and treasure this one.
It is an original.
A note to my readers: When I first read Darby’s essay I was blown away! I fell in love with her creativity; portraying herself to others through music was a refreshing and original approach. I noted her level of maturity; being able to grasp, articulate, and capture on paper the importance of relationships spoke with wisdom way beyond her years.
A note to Darby: Your CD and this essay are original, Darby, and so are you! Thanks for sharing a piece of your heart with me.
