Musical Memories

A song can make a difference.

Last night I was watching the Academy of County Music (ACM) Awards, and I will admit I got just a little teary eyed (OK a lot) when Brooks & Dunn took the stage singing "My Maria" for their final ACM appearance as a duo. Their music reminds me so much of my JuCo days, and why wouldn't it? They have been together 20 years, and well I was at Colby Community College just when they were discovering their first successes! YIKES--Am I really that old?!?! But it isn't just Brooks & Dunn's music that gets to me. I am very sentimental when it comes to music.

Whenever I hear the hymns, "Amazing Grace" or "The Old Rugged Cross," I usually cry. They remind me of my Grandma Stannard and her strong faith in God. Grandma S was musical; and forgive me Aunt Barb and Dad for saying this, but did anyone inherit this trait?? Perhaps Aunt B is musical, and hasn't expressed it to me yet.

But Dad and I both appreciate our old Nazarene preacher from Hemingford who said, you didn't have to sound pretty in church, you just had to "make a joyful noise." Reverend Parks claimed if you could hear the person in the pew next to you singing, you weren't singing loud enough, and I still live by this, much to the dismay of many little old Methodist ladies in St. Joe, Mo! Oh, back to Grandma S. . .she was musical, and she could whistle like a songbird. She whistled many pretty songs, but loved hymns most of all. At least that's that the way I remember her.

Another song that has meaning to me is "Life's a Dance," by John Michael Montgomery. Of course I used to think about the words to this song alot. But, I will never forget when it was real popular, around the winter of 1993. . .my JuCo judging team was about to compete in our first big contest--the NWSS in Denver. That song was playing on the radio, and our coach, Nick said, "Go out there and dance, just don't trip up today." Some things just stick with a person the rest of their lives; like I can listen to "Fishin' in the Dark" without doing the corny actions my friends, Tish and Tricia and I made up in high school. Or, I can't think of the song "Pour Me," without thinking, Jen should be here to Karaoke to this.

I could ramble on and on about songs that have meanings and the people they remind me of. . .but really? I think I'll go crank up my iPod, and sing along. Who knows? Maybe I'll discover my hidden musical talent. Or, maybe I'll just make a joyful noise!

What's your Passion?

Once upon a time, I thought a few of my friends that I work with at the Association were crazy, almost to the verge of loco. We'll call these friends Kenny, Sally, Jerry and David. This group of friends ran each and every day and no one was chasing them--they ran because they enjoyed it! Then, after careful observation and some understanding on my part, I grew to understand they weren't really crazy--really. They were passionate. They all shared a passion as runners.

During the past weekend, my friend and mentor, Sally Northcutt, ran 39.3 miles, competing in and completing the Disney half-marathon and Disney marathon on back-to-back days thus earning the "Goofy Challenge" medal. Sally is a dedicated, talented athlete who has competed in numerous marathons across the country, including the Boston Marathon (I was in her cheering section last April). She is also an avid golfer. Sally loves running. And for those of you keeping up with the weather, you might imagine that training for a major running event this winter in Missouri hasn't been easy, so she's booked quite a few treadmill hours--not ideal for a runner. But, because of Sally's PASSION, she now has three more AWESOME medals and two more races under her belt.



I'm so proud of Sally, and all of my running friends. I'm a runner's fan. Marathon's are great spectator events! I've been to the Chicago Marathon to watch Jerry, Boston to watch Jerry and Sally; Las Vegas to watch Kenny and his wife Nicole cross the finish, and some local races. If you ever get the chance, go and cheer on the runners--it is a huge boost for them. Though I'm not a runner, these folks all show true passion for what they do. They are great athletes. They compete on their own, independent of others for their own success.

Do you have a passion? What is in your life that gets you truly excited? Today I challenge you to think about your passion in life? Follow that passion, and and you'll always have something to stand for or chase after!