A good cry

I lost my grandmother this morning. Leaving behind a huge hole in me.

My mother called to break the news and I broke down. I sobbed. I cried like I did when my grandfather (her husband) died, almost 15 years ago. This news tears at the very core of who I am, because some of who I am is from her. So many great memories I have in my life include her.

I am sad, but I am cleansed. The tears enable me to let go. Not of her so much as the junk that was building up in me. The sadness and pain and sorrow was released in that moment when I allowed myself to break down.

I think women understand this a lot better than men do. Traditionally, we tend to hold it in, but we end up depriving ourselves of a very basic function that we were created for.

I doubt I am finished crying over this. I will attend the funeral and that will no doubt be hard. But I know how good it will feel to let go knowing she is with our Father and the man she loved here on earth.

Until we meet again, Oooo.














("Oooo", pronounced EU-eu, was the name we used to refer to my grandmother)

Stop and Listen

When was the last time you were still and listened to music? Driving in the car doesn't count. Having your iPod connected to your ears while you were walking to class doesn't work either.

I mean listening at the point where that was the only thing being done. Not working, or exercising or doing chores...just listening. No distractions. Obviously, this requires at least standing or sitting. I recommend sitting - especially if you plan to listen to more than one piece of music. Symphonic movements might require sitting, so yes, just sit...and listen.

Pay attention to the words (if there are any). Follow the bass line. Savor the Oboe or Cello. Detect the ambient noise layered on the track. Just listen. Be still, quiet the mind, remove all distractions and take a moment to enjoy.

This is a reason why I like vinyl records. Vinyl is not a portable medium (unless you're the Green Hornet). Turntables require you to submit to a fixed location to hear the music. Now you could clean the room the music was playing in and still enjoy the music, but I doubt you would have really listened to it. You have to stop what you're doing.

So get out your favorite record or CD or Mp3 and sit down. Put the kids to bed, turn off your phone and listen... enjoy.