Have you ever heard a song and it just “takes you there,” back in time? Where you might even get teary-eyed with joy or pain? That happened to me this week.

It is the last week of school, and we went to a 6th-8th grade concert. Though the kids are just learning how to play instruments and sing (meaning it didn’t exactly sound great, LOL), something got me.

The minute they started to play “Yellow,” by Coldplay, I was transported back to my wedding and our first dance. 

The next song was also by Coldplay. Hearing “The Scientist” took me back to the time I was in Eastern Europe, when I learned my dad had taken his life. 

The picture below is from that night. (Long before social media, I started taking pics of myself in my worst moments. I wanted to remember the pain… that I have been there… and also that I will rise again.)

The third song just happened to be my dad’s favorite song, “Take It Easy,” by the Eagles. My mom tapped me on the shoulder and whispered, “Your Dad’s FAV song!”

In my head, I thought, “Hi, Dad,” remembering him both in his death and in his joy in life. And right beside that ache was deep gratitude: My 79-year-old mama was sitting next to me, remembering with me.

Life really is about these “little things,” isn’t it? The shoulder taps. The shared memories. The people still here to help us hold them.

Funny how life does this thing where you feel all the feels. Maybe it’s because I’m turning 49 this year and I’m more sentimental. Or maybe I’m just appreciating how life will always serve us. The ups, the downs, and the gentle reminders that we have really lived.

Maybe, the invitation is simply to stay present with “what is.”

This week, I’ve been feeling it all: the exhaustion of our 10-year-old dog Timber in the ER, the end of school, the launch of our global movement disguised as a podcast, and deep gratitude that you all are taking a moment to be present with me in these “Mind Muse” emails.

I loved hearing from some of you after the last email regarding the S3X toy and death! It reminds me that these emails are actually being read.

Do you have a fav song that “takes you back” every time? I love hearing about people’s favs and why.