I'm in love, I'm in love and I don't care who knows it!

Umm...is it possible to be in love with say, 200 guys? All at the same time?

It's not?

Oh...well, can I at least be in love with this song? 

Thanks :-)

*****
I have always been a sucker for good music. I could be having the worst day of my life and all you'd have to do to make my world better would be to play some solid classical tunes (or the heavenly recording above).

Music just makes me happy. It lifts my spirits, calms my troubles, and enlightens my mind. It quiets jitters, solaces fears, and boosts confidence.

I don't think I'll ever forget how moved I felt when I was 10 years old, driving to Tempe twice a week with my mother as she played Sarah Chang's "Sweet Sorrow" soundtrack in the car; or how calm I would feel on Sunday mornings whenever mom would blast the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's weekly program "The Spoken Word"; or how inspired I was after seeing Les Miserables, Hairspray, and Zorro in London's West End; or even how transformed I felt as I, at age 16,  played my violin in the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in St. Petersburg, Russia. Those were the times in my life when I felt closest to God, or most connected to my "real" self. Those were the moments when I felt like I could be anybody I wanted to be, when I could accomplish anything I set my heart to.

Music has been a part of my life ever since I can remember. I was raised on musicals; tutored by EFY songs, My Turn on Earth, and Saturday's Warriors; and trained to perform on the violin and piano. Although I resisted mother's relentless efforts to make me practice for weekly lessons on both instruments, I am so grateful she never let up.

Regretfully, I'm not nearly as good as I could have been. Somehow I found ways to cut corners. But I'm glad I'm still skilled enough to pick up an instrument and sightread something, even if it's just a hymn.

I hope, nay, am determined to make music a part of my future home. I won't force my children to love music as much as I do, but by golly they will appreciate it.  I like to imagine myself sitting at the piano with my smiling little boy (or girl), teaching him (or her) how to memorize notes, recognize tunes, and play with passion and joy.

Of course, because this is one of my dreams I'll probably end up with all athletic children. While I try to get them to practice their piano, all they'll want to do is kick balls around a soccer field--something I'm totally incapable of teaching. Lame! However, as their mother I will simply be grateful to have children who are passionate/interested about something. Let's get real: having sports fanatics is still really cool, too.

But mark my words...there will be music deep down in everyone's heart! (Yes, I'm going to be one of those mothers...).

*****
For those interested, here are the lyrics to "I Love the Lord." If you'd like to read the story behind the song, you can find it here.

"I Love the Lord"

I love the Lord. In him my soul delights. Upon his word, I ponder day and night. He's heard my cry, brought visions to my sleep, And kept me safe o'er deserts and the deep. He's filled my heart with his consuming love, And borne me high on wings of his great dove.

Yet oft I groan,"O wretched man am I!" My flesh is weak and I'm encompassed by A world of sin, which holds me in its thrall, If I give in and to temptations fall. Then strength grows slack, I waste in sorrow's vale. My peace destroyed, my enemies prevail.

Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, my heart! And let me praise again The Lord my God, who is my rock and stay To keep me strict upon his straight, plain way. O let me shake at the first sight of sin And thus escape my foes without and in.