So many of us can call to mind “that song”: the one that is tied to so many of our memories. The one that has become a part of us, that can transport us back in time with a chorus or a melody.
Despite the song being the same, life brings about shifts in the way we hear it.
Whether it be love, grief, happiness, heartbreak, disappointment, or the general passage of time, songs take on more and more meaning as we hear them alongside our emotions and experiences.
The pairing is beautiful but sometimes painful.
When you lose someone, the songs that surround them take on a sorrowful tone. When your heart has been broken and grief weaves itself into familiar lyrics, it can feel impossible to listen to the music.
This makes our relationship with music a bit complicated for a while. And every person will have a different process and pace here.
If “that song” is too hard to hear for a season, it is more than okay to press pause. Please take your time here. The music can wait for a time when your heart feels ready.
And when the time feels right for you, may you hear hope calling out from those familiar and comforting melodies once again.
A Poem for when “That Song” comes on:
That song came on today.
The one you loved.
The one we listened to together,
The one whose melody mingles
with so many of our memories.
A soundtrack in the background of our days.
That song came on today.
The one that stops me in my tracks.
The one I have to skip sometimes
The one that sings about you
in so many ways.
That song came on today.
The one that hurts my heart to hear.
The one that lives deep in my core.
The one that transports me back
To days of singing it with you.
But, that song came on today,
The one you loved.
And I sang along.
Some days,
I can still sing along.
I hope you’re singing too.
-Liz Newman
An encouragement for your grieving heart:
Music so often attaches itself to our memories. And while this can be a beautiful gift, it can also be a painful reminder of loss.
Some hearts may decide to press play and allow the pain to speak through the melodies. Some hearts won’t be able to envision a day they’ll want to listen to the music, let alone sing along. Some hearts will fluctuate between both of these realities.
And, that is more than okay.
My hope for every hurting heart is that you remember: the music will be there when you are ready.
In our time. In our way. May we all, when the moment feels right, find the courage to press play.
Anything by Styx or REO Speedwagon. Recently I was in the grocery store and Fooling Yourself by Styx had me teary in the dessert aisle.
"Always and Forever " by Heatwave
My husband loved this song! When we started dating 34 years ago he would play and sing it for me. He was not a great singer but the sweetness in his voice and the love in his.eyes made up for it. Every time I hear it my heart skips a beat. ♥️🎶💕 I miss him so much ♥️♥️