To Make You Feel

Okay, so I am LONG overdue for a post. It’s not that I forgot about it. And it’s not that I didn’t have time – although, I have been very busy since my last post. It’s just that I haven’t been “feeling it”. I’ve had this crazy mix of emotions and can’t figure out where they land.

I’ve been listening to a ton of music lately. A ton. Of course, because I’m editing photos… and while I edit, I listen to music. I find it helps the time pass. In addition to helping time pass, it really affects my mood. I think I mentioned before that I didn’t find out just how much I loved music until I lived in Australia. Well… the longer I live, the more I realize it has an amazing impact on my life.

I was watching a movie the other night… well, when I say watching, what I really mean is listening to. I tend to put the TV on in the background and listen to what’s going on… I know plenty of other people who do this, so I know I’m not alone there ;o) Anyway, I could not tell you what movie I was watching was, but I can tell you that I was nearly moved to tears when I heard this particular song come on. It’s not a song that comes on the radio frequently – in fact, I’m not sure I’ve ever heard it on the radio! But, the words and the melody affected me so greatly that I stopped what I was doing and just listened.

The odd part about it is that I went to my computer, pulled up iTunes and decided to try to find the song that was playing. I did… and when I went to add it to my wish list, it told me I’d already downloaded it. Hmm… I guess this wasn’t the first time I was moved by this particular melody! Isn’t that amazing? Well, I think it is. You may think I’m nuts for not remembering… and you might be partly right there. I have never been good at remembering song names, names of artists (other than my absolute faves), names of movies or movie stars. It’s just not “my thing”. Do I enjoy them – absolutely! But I enjoy them for what they are, not “who” they are, if that makes any sense.

I have such a wide interest in music. I honestly do like all kinds – including (and most especially!!) country. Yup… variety is the spice of life! When I listen to music, I can be taken through every single emotion. And I think to myself how absolutely AMAZING it is that these artists can move me in such a way.

I think about my own work… my images and my writing. My goal has always been to move people – to make them feel. And if I’ve done that, I believe I’ve done what I set out to do. My life has been about capturing emotion and telling its story.

I know I would definitely be described as an emotional individual. And I don’t mean that with the negative connotation it often comes. What I mean is that I feel deeply and I, for the most part, am honest about my emotions in a very raw way.

Years ago, I lost someone very close and very important to me. I won’t get into that story now, but what I will say is that one of our last conversations was about the importance of telling people how you feel. And I can honestly tell you, he knew exactly how I felt about him before he died and, for that, I will be ever thankful. And, it’s my hope that the rest of the people in my life know how I feel about them… if not through direct words, than by my actions.

So what was that song?

To Make You Feel My Love
~ Garth Brooks

When the rain’s blowin’ in your face
And the whole world is on your case
I would offer you a warm embrace
To make you feel my love.
The evening shadows and the stars appear
And there is no one to dry your tears
I could hold you for a million years
To make you feel my love.
I know you haven’t made your mind up yet
But I would never do you wrong.
I’ve known it from the moment that we met
So no doubt in my mind where you belong.
I’d go hungry, I’d go black and blue
I’d go crawling down the avenue
There ain’t nothing that I wouldn’t do
To make you feel my love.
The storm’s a ragin’ on a rolling sea
And down the highway of regret
The winds of change are blowing wild and free
You ain’t seen nothing like me yet.
There ain’t nothing that I wouldn’t do
Go to the ends of the earth for you
Make you happy, make your dreams come true
To make you feel my love.