07. 07.24 Nostalgia, Gratitude and Music

Feeling nostalgic and grateful today after watching the 2023 remastered 40th anniversary version of The Talking Heads’ “Stop Making Sense” concert film. In 1985, the album was still relatively new to my friends and me. The mix of rhythms, funk, punk and experimentally courageous music was a fitting sound track for my partner and me. We chose to play it on repeat for our going-away gathering as we danced around our apartment complex’s pool, marking a huge leap of faith for us.
 
I had graduated with my political science degree two years prior and was working for a Houston City Council member. He had only been working for about 9 months as a pharmacist. Yet, we decided to commit to at least a 5-year (which became 8) return to a student life style to build a different life together. The challenges were real – financially, and, for me, for the first 5 years, socially.  But, out of that time came 3 years of mothering a loving and amazing son, getting pregnant with our daughter, beautiful hiking, mountain & rock climbing and a fabulous exploration of life with a women’s circle in Portland, Oregon. And, then. . . we found our forever home in Billings, Montana, where our daughter was born and I found so many open-hearted people, fed my soul, like last week, hiking and camping in our nearby, glorious mountains and connected to meaningful social, environmental and creative projects.
 
The power of music. To touch our souls. To create a pause. To help us remember.