You Gotta Grab It With Both Hands

Today(October 1) is my 39th birthday. To be honest, I’m completely ok with that number. The last time a birthday number really gave me pause was 35; for some reason, it felt “old” to me. I was depressed, anxious, and completely full of shit. Age is a number; it doesn’t define you. I’ve had several friends turn 40 this year, to varying degrees of acceptance of that fact. One friend, the illustrious Scott, marked the year between 39 and 40 with a sketch a day. It was a beautiful tribute to his talent, to what defined him. I’m stealing the concept, somewhat.

Music defines me. Although it may not be my talent, it is my passion. Those of you who know me, and those of you who know me through the blogs, know that there is an ever-evolving soundtrack running in my head. Songs that narrate the ups and downs, the ordinary and extraordinary moments of my life. Sometimes, those songs remain statically linked to a specific person, place, or time; sometimes, my songs shift (songs are shifting now, in fact). But, there is always a playlist helping me make sense of all of it. Giving a framework to memories that are beginning to fade, filling in the colors on the tapestry I weave with each passing moment. So, every day, for the next year, I’m going to reveal to you the soundtrack to my life, so far. A song a day, every day.

So, today, on day one, to set this scene, I dedicate today’s song to the friend I consider the father of what I know about music today. I had my specific likes and dislikes before I met him, and I’ve grown and changed and explored on my own, but he was the one who taught me that life, indeed, does have a soundtrack. To Matt, who gave me the first soundtrack to something meaningful in my life, the mix tape that was the Rosetta Stone to what makes up my taste in music today, this is for you. This is our song. Believe me when I tell you I can never thank you enough.

Keep Hangin' On - Husker Du


MP3 File