I love country music. As in the more traditional aspects of the genre … where lyrics still tell a moving story instead of emphasizing scantily clad women dancing in the back of a truck. George Strait, the king of country music as far as I’m concerned, released a new single recently and I’m delighted when it’s played on the radio. My first memories of country music involve playing my parents’ 8-tracks of Glen Campbell’s “Rhinestone Cowboy” and “Wichita Lineman”. Our neighbors had an impressive collection of country music they’d let us peruse. How I loved the sound of Tom T. Hall’s voice. My sister and I also wore out our Kenny Rogers cassette tape of “The Gambler”. Did I understand the deeper meaning behind these songs? Was the content even appropriate for an eight year-old? No and no. But I loved the power of a story from an early age. Many things have changed in the music industry. Much like publishing, I suppose. But one thing remains the same: country music still tells a story and those stories captivate us.
Brad Paisley is a modern country artist who can tell a great story within the lyrics of his songs. “If I Could Write a Letter to Me”, “Waitin’ on a Woman”, and “When I Get Where I’m Going” (a beautiful duet with Dolly Parton) are three that stand out for me. If you aren’t familiar with the first song, it’s about a man who writes a letter to himself back in time at seventeen, mentioning several relationships and seemingly ordinary moments the younger man might want to appreciate before it’s too late.
I thought about this song a lot last weekend. My husband and I visited Wilmington, North Carolina with our three boys. We stood on the same beach where Steve proposed almost fourteen years ago to the day. While the boys made fake gagging noises and pretended to keel over in disgust at the mention of anything related to love and marriage, we had fun reminiscing about that milestone in our relationship. Incidentally, a doctor I used to work for happened to walk by. The boys were splashing in the waves so we spent a few minutes catching up. Before he walked away he commented that ‘I hadn’t changed a bit’ and remarked that I ‘must have slept in formaldehyde every night’. Ha ha. While I appreciate his cheeky sense of humor and observation of my apparently youthful appearance, I hope he’s at least a tiny bit wrong.
Everything about our lives has changed in fourteen years. For the better. Much like Brad Paisley’s song lyrics, there’s a lot I’d tell my twenty-something self if I could:
- Worrying about the future is futile. Savor this season because you’ll never be so young and carefree again.
- Enjoy living ten minutes from the beach … this, too, is a season of life that will pass quickly.
- As daunting as wedding plans may seem, it won’t be long until you’re making much larger decisions and bringing a helpless infant into the world. Now that’s daunting.
- Call your grandmothers more often. Believe it or not, they won’t live forever.
- Make time for meaningful adult conversation. Pretty soon it will be a hot commodity.
Your turn: If you could write a letter to your twenty-something self, what would you say?
photo credit: stock.tookapic.com
A Pacific Northwest girl at heart, Heidi was blessed to spend her formative years in Alaska. Her unique upbringing, coupled with Alaska's breathtaking scenery, fueled her active imagination and loosely inspired her debut novel, Unraveled. Heidi graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Sports Medicine from Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington and a Master's Degree in Athletic Training from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. After a brief career as a Certified Athletic Trainer, Heidi married her husband, Steve. They live in North Carolina with their three active little boys. When Heidi isn't stepping on Legos, chauffeuring the boys around suburbia or watching one of their many sporting events, she loves to read and write heartwarming romance.
Good advice for life, especially not to worry about the future and enjoy living near the beach. Often one takes the beauty of nature for granted. I live a mile from the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. With lots of tourist in our small SW Michigan town, we often avoid the beach. I am glad that my twenty year old self – worked hard and achieved my dreams to become a teacher. But I also enjoyed life with my friends and our great beach (less tourism 45 years ago). Thanks for the blog.
I laughed when I read about your sons giggling and gagging, Heidi. I can picture that. :) I was ten years old when Rhinestone Cowboy was released. Even today, that song brings back so many memories. That’s what’s so wonderful about music. The one thing I’d tell my twenty-something self is that most things in life are never as bad as we think they’re going to be, so stop worrying so much and enjoy life. Great post, Heidi!
I would tell myself to realize that I don’t know all the answers in life. There are people who have more life experience and know more about how to deal with situations, in a positive way. I would tell myself not to be afraid to ask for help. Most importantly, I would tell myself to rely on God, not myself. :-)
Thank you! I would tell myself to not be so critical of others, and that when I have a problem with someone close to talk to them and ask why. I would also call my grandma more. =)
It’s scary talking about writing a letter to yourself. Maybe to not make all the bad decisions in your life.
Love your family more and tell Grandma how much she meant to me.
Don’t isolate yourself as much.
Dear 20-something Valerie. You have a wonderful husband and children. Cherish them. Pour yourself into them. But don’t forget to follow your dreams, because that teaches your kids they can follow theirs when they’re adults, too, and won’t have to set them aside for their kids’ needs when they become parents. Dream, Valerie, then DO. Love, 50-something Valerie
Hi, Renate. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Great advice! I would love to visit Lake Michigan someday. The pictures people post online are stunning!
Hi, Jill. Yes, the boys were a riot. It’s so funny how anti-romance they are right now. I think I’ll enjoy that phase as long as it lasts. We do have so many memories attached to music, don’t we? Our brains are amazing like that. Yes, I would also tell myself to worry less…that’s a lesson I’m still working on. Thanks for stopping by.
Hi, Melissa. So true. It is hard to ask for help, isn’t it? Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post and leave a comment. Blessings!
Hi, Katy. I hear you. I don’t know about you, but I spend a lot of time needlessly rehashing conversations when things would probably be resolved more quickly in a face-to-face encounter. I hope I get better at that with age. Yes, amen to calling our grandmothers more often!
All great insights, Linda. Thank you for sharing your perspective. Take care.
Thanks for sharing your letter with us, Valerie. I think about that a lot…letting our children see us following our dreams, observing our struggle, watching us get up and try again. An important lesson for sure.
If I could write a letter to myself, I would say
1. Don’t be in a hurry to get married and have children. Finish college. Travel. Have a career.
2. Don’t be afraid to take chances. Accept that college letter in Florida or California.
3. Enjoy your time in Europe instead of pining and being homesick.
Trust God to make something good out of your mistakes. ALL of your mistakes!
My letter is simple: Trust that things happen for a reason.
Good thoughts, and yes, the old style (even when new songs) Country is powerful. There’s a reason it’s what I listen to in the car for all I’m mocked for it :).
Probably which guy NOT to get involved with….lol!! I’m not really sure what I would say to my younger self, because I was one very stubborn person and probably wouldn’t have listened to myself anyway :-) But I do agree with savoring the time because you won’t ever get it back & enjoy your youth while you have it. Plenty of time to grow up and have “adult” responsibility (marriage, kids, mortgage, car payments, etc)! Get to know who you are and what you want out of life before settling down. I think that makes for a better relationships!
I would tell myself to listen to my elders.. Yes, they were young once & have a lot of wisdom to share.
Live each day wisely & save where you can.. Make sure those you love know it!
I think I’d want to tell myself to try to savor at least one moment each day instead of just waiting for the day to be over. Katie Edgar