Seven Songs Susan Can’t Live Without

Many years ago I met Twila, a fellow native Arkansan, at one of her concerts. I can honestly say I have never seen a more obviously sweet and beautiful countenance on a lady. With her soft-spoken Southern accent and a genuinely humble spirit, she thanked the church for allowing her an extra chance to praise God for all He had done in her life.

Much of her time is spent home-schooling her son and caring for her home and family. It is obvious that Twila is also very concerned about politics and the not-so-great-state of our union.  Her latest album is what she calls "a love letter and prayer for our Country". She encourages us all to pray before we vote.

I can't think of many artists I would rather see in concert anytime, anywhere that Twila Paris.  When i hear her sing "Lamb of God," I feel like i am listening to an angel straight out of Heaven. 

When I think on all the great concerts I have enjoyed over my lifetime, James Taylor stands in a class by himself. As a young teenager, I worked extra hours babysitting so I could have the money to attend his concert.  From the first time I saw him pick up his guitar and sing in that beautiful and soft, melodious voice, I immediately recognized it was worth the hard work to earn that ticket.  After seeing James Taylor in concert, I committed to seeing him every time he came to Memphis.

Since I first heard him sing "Shower The People" I have made every effort to let folks in my life know they are indeed showed with love.  It was a great life lesson in a song!

Van Morrison, the incredibly gifted singer and songwriter, can reach your very soul with his words.  His "Have I Told You Lately" is a song i could listen to every day and never grow weary of it.

Elvis Presley singing "How Great Thou Art" in his last concert was a fabulous spiritual experience. Standing on my feet throughout that song helped me realize there was more to Elvis than meets the eye -- and he was, as they say, easy on the eye, too!

"Unchained Melody" was always one of my Dad's and my brother Buddy's favorite song.  As a young girl, I always thought "Aww, those guys are just cheesy romantics." Almost every time Buddy and I would get in his Firebird, we would listen to his Righteous Brothers cassette tape. As i grew older, I too, feel in love with that song.  And to this day, it's continues to be one of my favorites!

Apparently, I too, have joined the ranks of the cheesy romantics club.

In the early '90s, Michael Jackson introduced the world to his "Heal the World." The first time I heard that song, I knew I had to own that CD. I played that CD over and over and over. My daughter would  often complain because it's the only song I would play on that album. Finally, we compromised and played the rest of the CD, but "Heal the World" is to this day the ONLY song I can even remember on that album.

When I went through a divorce, I felt my life came to a sudden and complete STOP.  My best friend, Rebecca, would tell me that feeling would pass in time. I secretly thought she was a goofball at the time.

Years and years and years passed -- so I happily resigned myself to the fact I would just eventually become a little single old lady whiling away the hours in my rocking chair on my front porch ALONE. And THEN (you knew it was coming) a remarkably brilliant and handsome ANGEL came into my life.  He was/is such a blessing and fabulous gift that I have never been the same.

When Jerry and I married, my favorite aunt, Betty Sue, sent me a CD with a song she said reminded her of Jerry and me. Rascal Flatts' "Bless the Broken Road" was that song.  A couple of the lines goes like this: "Every long lost dream led me to where you are," "Others who broke my heart, they were like Northern stars pointing me on my way into your loving arms."

Life is great and full of surprises...and Aunt Betty Sue was right..it is a song that depicts what really happened -- and I am so grateful!