When you have no words, turn to music lyrics

I actually started the blog I posted on February 28 the week of February 10 and had planned to finish and post it that weekend. Then, I got some unexpected news on February 14 that has consumed every amount of my emotional and mental energy for the past two weeks. Rest assured, the news isn’t life-threatening for me or any of the people I love, but my emotions have run the gamut since hearing the news.

While I’ve been on a journey to be positive and search for “moments of awe,” the reality is that not everything is positive, even in a “filtered” Instagram world. After finally finishing the “Foodie Thoughts” blog, I wanted to prepare a post that was authentic and vulnerable, but I just have the bandwidth. The words just weren’t there. So, I gave myself permission to not be perfect and to just escape from my thoughts and feelings for a day. On Saturday, I grabbed my camera and car keys, turned on my favorite playlist, and headed east to a Texas state park.

This is what I discovered – when you don’t have the words, often music does. As I listened to the playlist while the music looped during the drive to Caddo Lake State Park, and back, the song lyrics began to capture my thoughts and feelings in ways that I couldn’t.

When my words and energy levels return (and both will), I’ll post more. Until then, the words that appear below describe my thoughts about the past couple of weeks. My best friend will recognize the songs because she has heard my playlist too many times to count. For all others, I’ve included the name of the song and artist.

“Packing up the dreams God planted

A chapter of your life is through .

It’s hard to let you go.”

“Friends” by Michael W. Smith

“I feel like I belong.

I hold the happiness you bring.

It's a better place since you came along.”

“Better Place” by Rachel Platten

“This is a love song to the Earth.

You're no ordinary world.

A diamond in the universe.

Keep it safe.

Keep it safe.

Keep it safe.”

“Love Song to the Earth by Paul McCartney

“I've heard it said

That people come into our lives for a reason

Bringing something we must learn.

And we are led to those who help us most to grow, if we let them.

And we help them in return.

I know I'm who I am today because I knew you.”

“For Good” by Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth

“We can brave through those emotions, too.

‘Cause I'm gonna stand by you.

Even if we can't find heaven, I'll walk through hell with you.”

“Stand by You” by Rachel Platten

“Don't try to write my ending;

Nobody gets to sing my song.

This is the sound of surviving;

This is my farewell to fear.

This is my whole heart deciding I'm still here.

I'm still here,

And I'm not done fighting.

My freedom is in view;

I'm stronger than I knew.”

“Sound of Surviving” by Nicole Nordeman

“You can bend but never break me

'Cause it only serves to make me

More determined to achieve my final goal.

And I come back even stronger,

Not a novice any longer,

'Cause you've deepened the conviction in my soul.”

“I am Woman” by Helen Reddy

“I'll help your back when your back is to the wall.

I'll catch the tears when your tears fall.

I will give it all.

I won't give up the fight.

So, I'll fight, fight that war for you.

I'll fight, stand and defend you.

Take your side, that's what I'm here to do.”

“I’ll Fight” by Jennifer Hudson