A Touching Story

The truth is that I've become an NPR junkie. I listen to it each day as I'm driving to work. On Fridays, NPR features "StoryCorps," which is basically a story told by two family members or friends about a particular meaningful part of one person's life. I've heard a father interviewed by his daughter about growing up in the depression. I've heard a story about a nun who made a difference in the lives of others, but also has a great love for baseball.

Today's story was especially touching to me. It made me cry. Stories are what connect us to each other. A story tells so much more than numbers, statistics, or straight facts. For me hearing a story like this makes all the bad news we constantly hear much more bearable. I hope that we don't forget to tell the stories that show love, demonstrate compassion and express our humanity. The story is called, "Forgiving Her Son's Killer: 'Not An Easy Thing'. I hope you enjoy it.

www.npr.org/series/4516989/storycorps

What song brings you back?

It seems that music can heal the brain. I didn't get to see the movie that illustrates this idea, "The Music Never Stopped," but it's on my list for Netflix. The movie is based on "the last hippie" case study by Oliver Sachs, neurologist and writer, whose brain research was the basis for the movie, "Awakenings".

Basically, the premise is that music heals. A beign brain tumor has left Gabriel Sawyer without most of his memory and he's prevented from forming new long-term memories. He's stuck in the past. It's music from his youth, especially the Grateful Dead, which brings him back. This gives new meaning to Deadheads.

Music is such a great way to improve your mood. I am once again trying to learn guitar, and it's a fun challenge. I didn't forget everything from my first rounds of lessons, but even so I feel like I need hand holding to figure out the technique. My playing never sounds as good as the instructor's. Even so I love it because it makes me access a different part of my brain as I learn how to play. And someday maybe people will actually want to hear me play my own songs.

Speaking of songs I love the fact you can instantly download songs. Remember when we had to buy CDs. That is so old school. Music has power and it forms the soundtracks of our lives. Who doesn't have a song that brings them back to a certain time. The song Hey Ya! will forever be linked with good times with my friend Carrie and Aspen when I lived in the Roaring Fork Valley the first time.

What song brings you back?

Finding a home

Well I'm in search of an apartment. In a city where there are more apartments to chose from it might be easier...but it's more of a challenge here in the Roaring Fork Valley. I thought I had found the apartment in Basalt, but alas it went to someone who had a three-day jump on me. I was bummed.

I'm going to see another apartment today. So cross your fingers. I enjoy seeing apartments so it's been cool to see what's out there, but I'm getting weary from the process. It's interesting to see what's available at what price. The truth is that you get what you pay for...without a doubt.

So if you know of a good place in the area, let me know. That way I can spend my evening hours enjoying the spring weather instead of apartment hunting! That being said I took last night off and went on a hike with my friend Jenny instead. It was great!

Are you getting outside?

Quote of the Day

“Our lives, along with the weather and happiness, will forever be up and down and sideways and all over the place. That’s how life and the weather are, and that is as good as it gets. How do I know that? Simple. It is all I've got. If the future does not exist and the past is gone, then this must be as good as it gets, because there is, right now, nothing else. And even if you don't believe the truth of that statement, living each moment as if now is absolutely as good as it gets will have you celebrating your life every day. It’s not a bad way to live.”

--Robert White

Happy Mother's Day to all

Well I think spring/summer is here. At least it felt like summer on the Front Range. We went to Byers to celebrate Mother's Day on Saturday with the Gair family. My grandma loved having everyone there. She's been a mom for 67 years. Pretty amazing!

My mom has been one for almost 38 years. I'm not that old, but my brother is turning 38 this year. We went to lunch and then to the Denver Botanical Gardens. The flowers were beautiful, but they made me sneeze. Overall it was a great weekend to celebrate mothers.

Thank you to my mom and all mothers. You deserve flowers every day!