Music and Memories

A few months ago I had the chance to perform a wedding for some friends and while I do not usually get to stay for receptions after weddings, Gail and I were able to hang for most of this one. The food, the company and the music made for a lovely, though cold and snowy North Georgia evening.

As the night progressed the DJ played a variety of music and as a child of the 70's and 80's I was only sometimes impressed with the musical selections of the twenty-something DJ playing music for a twenty-something bride and groom.

Then while chatting with the father of the bride as he grieved the loss of his daughter; I mean celebrated the arrival of his new son-in-law, the sound of Michael Jackson's "Beat it" came through the speakers and the place went crazy. Young and old alike, excluding me and Daddy, ran to the dance floor. We both got quiet and watched the carnage of the rhythm-less post-adolescents as they did the best they could with both left-feet.

As I stood there however, listening to the old song, I was quickly transported to another time and place. I was at Studio 54 in New York City, May of 1983 and it was prom night. My best friends, their dates, and my date and I were having a great night and although I was never a Michael Jackson fan... Studio 54 was and they played 'Beat it' and 'Thriller' all night - in fact, I believe the 'long version' of the thriller video actually premiered at '54 that night - it was a BIG deal and it left an impact that was was resurrected at a wedding nearly thirty years later.

So after the wedding I spent a little time listening to some of my favorite music; returning to some long-forgotten memories. I heard 'Life in the fast lane' by the Eagles and I was on a bus with Andy, headed for Malibu's Zuma beach in the summer of '78. I heard some music from Neil Diamond's 'Hot August Night' and I was in the back seat of the family car and we're headed to San Diego for vacation - you get the point.

So as I trod my way along memory lane I smiled at all the amazing memories of my life, but felt especially 'warm' [cheesy, but it's the right word] as I considered my incredible childhood. I grew up with amazing parents, three very cool sisters, two awesome brothers and a long list of animals to punctuate the life in question.

The music led me to remember the KISS concert I so wanted to attend in '78, but I was too young to go alone so my older sister that HATED KISS, volunteered to take me and Andy. I think about the times in Newport Beach California where I developed my love for the beach. I even think about the years in New York and smile at the incredible stuff I experienced there that I could not have experienced anywhere else with any other family.

I shared some of my journey with Gail that night after the wedding and she reminded me that some of the music that makes me smile, that takes me to some of the best memories of my life, takes her to a whole different place, a dark and unpleasant place, confirming again, that music is tied to memories... one way or another.

Her interpretation of the music that so made me smile was a reminder that not everyone is making good memories at home. Not everyone looks back at childhood and lets out a peaceful sigh. Some have lived, or are living a hard childhood and adolescence.

All that to say... we can make a difference. We can be part of helping kids have great memories - even if they don't get them at home. We can help families learn to make great memories and we can do it wherever we are. Rock Bridge Chatsworth is a platform I use to make a difference in others lives, but there are options wherever you are. You can serve in your local church, or Young Life, or Boys and Girls clubs, or your neighborhood or apartment building... It's easy really, no matter where you are, to make a difference, a good start is to do is do like my family did... play some music and love each other.