Posted on Mar 10, 2021 in
On the Porch with Patti
Road trip jams – the soundtrack of our lives.
By Patti Parish-Kaminski, Publisher
As we meander – or stumble at times – through this thing called life, one of the most poignant things I’ve noticed is that music plays a significant role in our journey. Music is somewhat like your shadow. You may not always notice it or actually see it, but it’s always there in the background playing the soundtrack of our lives.
Kassidi wrote about this phenomenon a few years ago. When she and Kolton were little, I would take a monthly road trip to Kerrville to work with a client. More times than not, the kids were in tow, which meant the Dixie Chicks’ cd – now known as The Chicks – was our soundtrack. It didn’t occur to me at the time that was the cd I repeatedly played when we went West, but in hindsight, I now see that it was our road trip jam. And now, Kassidi fondly associates these songs with the good time road trips of her youth.
Yes, hearing certain songs evokes memories of specific time periods, events and even people in our lives. I’m not really sure why that happens, but it does. For example, every time I hear Brick House by The Commodores, I think of Lisa Ann. I never knew that she and Lionel Richie were friends, but they must be because that song is all about her. Yep, she’s mighty-mighty.
That got me to thinking about the soundtrack of my life. If I had to put together a playlist of ditties to describe and define my personal journey, what would that sound like? Then it hit me. There is a Merle Haggard song for virtually every season and situation in my life. Case and point:
Mama Tried: For when the kids were on my very last nerve, but I still showed up, smile on my face, and tried, tried, tried.
That’s the Way Love Goes: Also known as choosing battles. Like when my husband is making me insane, but I know deep down – way deep down – that he really does love me, and sometimes, that’s just the way it goes.
The Fightin’ Side of Me: Too many have walked “on the fightin’ side of me” through the years. It’s not a pleasant stroll. It’s akin to navigating a minefield.
Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink: A poignant description of those times when I just need a minute by myself – with my dear friend Tito – to keep rolling along in a positive and productive manner. Then I pick myself up and regroup the next day – crisis averted.
I’m Always on a Mountain When I Fall: Or at least I’m wearing 4” heels – which is the same thing. I’m a go big or go home type of girl.
Perhaps the most poignant words Merle ever wrote – and in my opinion, the most poetic – sums up my lyrical attitude towards life: “Stop rolling downhill like a snowball headed for hell.” Help yourself first so you can help others along the way.
See y’all next week – on the porch!
