Music was something I grew up with. Mom used to tell me I came out of the womb harmonizing. It is just something I do without thought – sing.
I love so many genres but especially love the 30’s and 40’s Swing Music & Jazz, Rhythm and Blues through to the 60’s, and our houses growing up were full of Frank Sinatra, Glenn Miller, Elvis, doing the dance The Jerk from the late 60’s, learning to twist (my mom was very modern, smile) – often singing at the top of our lungs. (It is a generational thing – Josh grew up on Duke of Earl!)
The first time my mom ever went to a garage sale, she found a stack of older 45’s for sale (for the uninitiated, those were records) that she purchased for me. Sam Cooke (Twistin’ the Night Away, You Send Me), Nat King Cole (Fly Me to the Moon), Otis Redding (Sittin’ on the Dock) – I’d never heard such wonderful music! I played those records over and over and over, memorizing the songs. I’m sure I made my parents sick of it!
One song I absolutely fell head over heels with was a sort of hidden mantra I sang to myself that no one knew about – At Last by blues singer Etta James, who did a cover in 1960 (although that’s not when I heard it). I sang that song to myself – which is something I still do all the time – sing to myself, that is. Bursting out in song for no reason, and singing to Alpha Hubby (mostly love songs), as long as I can get through it without starting to cry.
At last my love has come along
My lonely days are over and life is like a song, oh yeah
At last the skies above are blue
My heart was wrapped up clover – the night I looked at you
But At Last – oh my. At Last. What an amazingly perfect song. Three minutes of perfection that totally describes how I felt when Alpha Hubby came into my life. He certainly took his time so of course I thought, “At Last!”
I found a dream that I could speak to
A dream that I can call my own
He was The One. After years of kissing frogs until I gave up, he galloped into my life on his white steed. Oh, okay – he leaned against the cubicle wall at the office, watching me walk toward him. He came into my cubicle, then my life, At Last. He brought The Real Thing to me. He helped bring out my dreams of true love, romance, someone I could share my words, hopes and life with.
I found a thrill to press my cheek to
A thrill I’ve never known, oh yeah
One of the first things he began doing after we met was to put his palm on my cheek. He would tell me that he’d know where I was by how I pressed my cheek (or didn’t) against his hand. In the beginning my eyes were wary like that picture above. Now, full on blow out love.
You smiled, you smiled oh and then the spell was cast
And here we are in Heaven
For you are mine at last
He smiled at me, looking like I was the only good thing in his life. He’s tell me so and yes, the spell was cast 23.8 years ago.
And oh yes, heaven – so true. There is a scripture in the Bible* about the fact that we can live “…as days of heaven upon the earth”. And that is what we live. So while we aren’t literally in heaven, it’s another verse in this song that fits. At Last.
And yes, he’s mine, At Last. And if he thinks he’s getting away, he’s got another think coming!
♥
Dearest Nan,
Well, I’ve probably heard my Mom sing while I was in her womb. Dad also sang all his life. Mom as a 1st soprano (like I’m doing now too) and Dad as a 1st Tenor.
Music that we so love brings always back fond memories. It is forever etched deep inside our souls.
So glad that this favorite title did resonate with you in a special way!
Heaven on earth indeed.
Today is our 34th and we are as happy as can be because Pieter got a 2nd opinion on Wednesday from another, much kinder cardiologist. He repaired the scars that were so rudely left on our souls. Getting a verdict that sounds like a death penalty for your LOVE is unbearable. Only in the waiting room of this other cardiologist did Pieter reveal that outside of the OR, after his heart catheterization, said cardiologist had come beside his bed and told him there was nothing what could be done for him. How rude, how dare he scare the hell out of my love and minutes later delivering that same rude verdict to me; his wife that loves him so very, very much.
So happy that HOPE has been restored and grateful for numerous dear friends that prayed for him.
Hugs,
Mariette
I am not surprised you are musically inclined! Add Leland and me to those people who are lifting Pieter up for total restoration! God is in that business, restoration! That first cardiologist is WRONG, completely and totally wrong. Find me a scripture and verse in the Bible that says this and we can shake his hand and agree with him. There is NOTHING in the Bible that says “nothing can be done for him.” In fact, it says, “NOTHING is impossible with God.” Bah humbug, I hate negative nellies!! I agree – he was rude and wrong. He may not have the answers but he had no right to give his opinion – huh – that’s why they are called practitioner’s – still practicing – guessing.
Beautiful song! What a lovely voice? Can you sing like that? (I CANNOT sing!) It is so uplifting to read about relationships that don’t just endure but endure so beautifully!!!!
Yes I can sing like that. I can pretty much mimic older genres – blues, jazz, 40’s swing – probably 40’s swing is my fave! Some of those romance songs – phew!!! I am so blessed to be a part of a relationship that not only endures but does it beautifully – thanks to Alpha Hubby!
As always, beautiful tribute!
Those songs are in my head because of my mom, too. Nat King Cole was her favorite.
He had such a soothing, wonderful voice. He was my mom’s favorite Christmas singer!
Pretty cool. You are even more exciting for me now. It only seems as though it was yesterday. We have a lot more exploring to do.
I agree – our life is only growing better and better! It is hard to believe that next March we will have been married 24 years – thank you for loving me! Let’s go on those faith adventures!!!
Music can be so evocative of times and places in our lives. I played the oboe in our college orchestra many years ago, but when we’re in the car and one of the pieces we played comes on, I very loudly hum along. I can picture our somewhat intimidating conductor as I listen. I realize this is a little geekish, but we geeks have to own our geekdom. 🙂
I love the sound of the oboe! Geeks need passionate love, too. Leland says it is because they are so much more detailed in everything they do. Boy howdy!!!!