In her case, it was "Come Away With Me" by Norah Jones. Ellen's son, Max, has cerebral palsy and suffered at stroke at birth. This song came out about the time Max was born and so whenever she hears it, she's carried back to that time and all those car trips to various doctors and therapists.
I have a song like that as well.
Lily had open heart surgery at 4 months of age. While she lay recovering in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, we played a lot of soft music in her room. It gave everyone something consistent and pleasant to listen to in the midst of all the noisy machinery.
One song in particular just spoke to me and soothed my soul in the middle of some of the scariest days of my life.
Now I'd like to say it was something deeply spiritual, filled with rich verses of Scripture.
But that would not be true.
While much Scripture did bring me comfort, Alicia Key's song, "If I Ain't Got You" reminded me that nothing in the world at that time was as important to me as a living, breathing baby girl with a healthy heart. Not to sound overly dramatic, but it's funny how meaningless "stuff" becomes when you're in the midst of a life and death situation.
I cannot listen to that song to this day without crying.
When I hear it, I am swept right back to that hospital room, surrounded by beeping and blinking medical equipment, with nurses quietly coming in and out. I am putting my hands on my baby girl and pleading with God to heal her. To let us take her home. To let her be a part of our family. To love her.
Such a simple song. Such powerful emotions.
Do you have a song like that? One that stops you in your tracks and transports you to another place or time? I'd love for you to share it with me.
This post wouldn't be complete with giving you an opportunity to hear the song that takes me back. Click here to listen.
