If you had the opportunity to choose the soundtrack for your life, which musician's, artist's and poet's work would you showcase on your compilation? These would be the songs, poems and narrations you would hear in the background if you were watching your life on a movie screen.
Perhaps you have never pondered this question; never really thought about it.
For me, only one person would be showcased on my soundtrack. I am a fan of many, but one man alone has this honor! This person, as you may have guessed, is Daniel Grayling Fogelberg (August 13, 1951 – December 16, 2007). I hear his songs and am instantly transported back in time to a moment or segment of my life where his liquid poetry supported me through life's trials and victories. Even today as I listened, I heard notes I had not heard before or a phrase lingered for a few seconds longer then I recalled. Complete and beautiful poetry. Complete and beautiful respite, restoration and peace for me.
He knew my heart, me knew my pain, he knew my triumphs. He knew me.
On our drive towards Minnesota from San Francisco almost 3 years ago, we detoured a tad so I could go to Colorado.... Aspen in particular, as Dan had spent so much time there in his early days. It helped me to heal from the loss of his physical presence in our world, but also allowed me to see how the essence of beauty increases with the passing of time. We leave that part of ourselves here when we depart the Earth. We leave the energy of our gifts, our time, our hopes and dreams.
I find myself thinking now about the song Dan might have penned to us all; knowing he was leaving us. And, in that same moment, I realize, he already has written it many times over. Whichever song you go to of his when you are tired, or trying to make sense out of the world, that is his song to you.
Thank you, Dan, for being my best friend when I needed one. For being my rock when I had nothing else to hold onto. And, for celebrating with me when I got it right on occasion! I will carry you with me always.
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