Yes, I've Always Been Like This

 
If you push play, then read aloud, pacing yourself, this might work:

There are some moments in life that you remember always. Moments that bury themselves inside and are forgotten, until years later they resurface without reason. And what happened may not have even been significant or meaningful on a large scale, it may not change your life or your nature, in fact it probably won't. But when you rediscover it you're glad you kept it, because it's yours.

I was ten years old, riding with my mom in the car on the way to school. Our drive was across town, from our trailer in West Orange to my mom's work in Little Cypress. We always took MLK because there were fewer stoplights and also because it was more scenic. We were listening to music. Music from a soundtrack, which just goes to show that even at a young age I had a nerdy side. It's in my roots. I was familiar with the music of Michael Kamen (Robin Hood) and Jerry Goldsmith (First Knight) before I was aware of NSYNC's existence. But this particular day we were listening to Randy Elelman, DragonHeart, number 4, To the Stars. 

Now imagine being ten, and you're listening to this music, staring out the window at the trees, daydreaming. If you've ever driven North on MLK in the early morning you know what I'm talking about. There's just a little light in the sky and the woods are still asleep. This music is carrying your ten year old self through the sky. 

You are heroic, you are uninhibited, you are infinite. 

Then, just at the right moment you come around the curve into the fields beyond the woods and there is the sunrise. It appears at exactly the right moment in the music and floods your mind with golden light and magic and takes your breath away. 



I will always carry this moment with me. I couldn't believe it happened. I tried over and over every morning to recreate it, to get the music and the world to align in perfection, but it never did. 

And I had forgotten it, until this week, when I decided to share it with you. I hope your life has moments like this too. If you have, I’d love to hear them.