For All That We Let In...

I was driving home from a workshop a few weeks ago, a warm summer's eve, listening to music on the radio... thinking of Rebecca, and of our lives, and of our cross and of the gaping hole in our hearts that longs to be filled with little ones to share this wonderful life with, when the music I was listening to, like an undertow, took me out into the deep. I don't mean music from the generic pop stations that buzzes incessantly and fizzles out in a few weeks, like those little midges that swirl into your ears and have a half life of two weeks. I mean hand-carved acoustic poetry. Heart-crafted words, polished smooth by poets sitting in their cabins or spilling words on napkins in small town diners, fast while the fire of inspiration is hottest. I love music from the souls who are mostly unplugged. I'll take their word over a snappy electrolized and endlessly repetitive refrain any day! There are songs that can really slip below the radar and get me thinking. Usually anything from Greg Brown (Ella Mae or Hey Baby Hey.... oooh those are sweet), or Carrie Newcomer, so rich with imagery that they just break down the busyness of the day and the flurry of thoughts and distractions. Pretty much anything from Dave Wilcox, of course. The South African a capella Ladysmith Black Mambazo. And I just discovered Judy Collins..... I know, a little late in the day for that one. We need music like this. They're not mindless distractions, but mindful attractions to things we must face every day. Choices to be made, turns taken, fears to overcome. Just as we should make an examination of conscience each night, looking over the day and what actions or omissions may have thrown shadows over His Light, so I think we should do an examination of our ipods, our iTunes, Zunes, and CD collections; whatever houses the music we live by. How much of it moves you, as opposed to gets you moving? I know we need both. But are there at least a few melodies that take you to those places you need to go, now? Would you mind sharing them? Here's a few of mine: - How Did You Find Me Here, Dave Wilcox - In the Garden, Van Morrison - I Know You by Heart, Eva Cassidy - Leaving Home, John Williams (Superman soundtrack) - The Riddle, Five for Fighting - Hold On, Carrie Newcomer - One Love, Cheryl Wheeler - Valentine's Day, Bruce Springsteen - For All that We Let In, Indigo Girls - Check it Out, John Cougar Mellancamp - Hearts and Bones, Paul Simon - Love Your Neighbor, Ladysmith Black Mambazo