This evening, when I arrived home, I opened e-mail to check for my meaningful contacts (the friends who actually send profound thoughts with standard spellings). Amongst the usual proliferation of commercial messages and reminders, my adult niece sent a U Tube video. Upon visiting the site, I made the happy error of revisiting some of the masterful greats from the days of rhythm and blues - - my music, my era. The groove was on! Cooking dinner, paying bills, and returning calls were cast aside. With the revival of old memories, instantly, I was transported to the long ago, but unforgotten vibrations of youth and energy!
This always happens when I visit U Tube. As a music lover, my fondness for diverse stylizations is practically limitless - - this is why the pragmatist in me could never buy all the music that I enjoy - - neither then or now. And while mere listening is good, viewing archived performances is even better - - I can stay up for hours watching, clapping, singing along, and always, always, recalling the people, places, years and events that make the songs so special. Oftentimes, there is no special reason, just sheer gratitude for the good feelings evoked. I now know this must be what my parents felt when listening to the big band recordings, while tapping hands and feet to the syncopated rhythms.
Oh, sweet memories! There are no regrets for youth (misspent or otherwise); no poignant desire to relive it all again (because I really believe I did the best I knew how to do at the time). None of that….just joy in toasting the silly antics, ambitious goals, and frivolous sidetracks of a budding life. As I happily indulge in the allure of the era, I realize all that I was, has now become an indelible part of who I am. Within the confines of my home office, and hidden from the quizzical stare of my young adult daughter, I gyrate, step, glide and slide with more abandon than I ever exhibited in my youth. I thank God for health, presence of mind, family, friends, and the enthusiasm to hop to my feet in response to an insistent soul-stirring beat. I am equally thankful for having stamina to last through the duration of a few fast-paced Motown tunes before running out of breath. In this New Age, I have discovered an electronic fountain of youth!
