The sound of music

We just returned from a long weekend trip to St George, Utah.  We had been planning this trip since May when we were over in Utah for Kami's open house, We met my aunt and uncle down there and trying to find a weekend when we could all four be there was tough.  We looked at the calendar and found a weekend when my husband didn't have soccer and this was it.  Little did we know at that time, that we would need this weekend  more than we both knew.  It was so nice to get away from the reality of home/jobs, and everything we have been through since August.   We took Kami's cd from her memorial service with us and listened to it on a beautiful section of highway between Green River and Salina, Utah.  It was the kind of country that Kami loved.  We were able to really listen to the remarks and the music. I thoroughly enjoyed  the scenery as we drove and really appreciated it more than I would have otherwise.   We also took the cd of music that our son had put together with Kami's favorite tunes on it that we played at her memorial service while pictures of her life were in a slideshow.  There was a lot of music on this cd that talked about peace and everyone getting along.  It also had the  classic "stairway to heaven" on it.  Kami and I always talked about how each of us wanted that played at our funerals.  When Kami was in her junior year of high school, her grades started to slip, she became more defiant,  and   started hanging with the friends that she was smoking marijuana with.   She used to like a particular artist and would go to his concerts all of the time.    She used to play it for me and I always associated his music with the drug use.   She has loved him for the past 5 years at least.  We played his music as the opening and closing songs at Kami's service.  Right after the memorial service, I would listen to this music and just cry.  Now I listen to it and I smile.  I have gone to this artist's website and learned about him.  He is very much about peace and love and co-existing in society.  Kami had many quotes about this same thing in her quote book.  Right after her service, I e-mailed Trevor Hall through his manager, and told him that we had used his music at Kami's service and how much joy he had brought to Kami during her lifetime.  I attached a picture of her and told him that one of the last things that she and her brother did together, was attend his concert at Red Rocks.  I had kind of forgotten that I had written to him.  As we were driving back from St. George, I was checking e-mails and I received an e-mail back from him.  He said that he was very sorry to hear the sad news.  He said that he was glad that Kami felt a connection to his music.  He also said that the music flows through him from some other place.  He isn't quite sure where...but it is a healing place and has done a lot for him.  He said that he hoped that it provided her with some happiness during her time here.  He wished our family lots of love and strength.  That really meant a lot to me. For him to take the time to respond to me, says a lot about his character and what he stands for. I really did appreciate his e-mail.   His music has  become a place of healing for me.   I have been a rock and roll girl my whole life,  and usually I am pretty accepting of most types of  music.  I have learned that I can listen to music and gain a greater understanding of people.  I have also learned that music can bring me peace and happiness.  I am grateful for this "break" I was able to take, and for the chance to really listen.  Sometimes we have to create the quiet in our lives to be able to appreciate something.   Sometimes music will touch our hearts in a certain way because it is what we need at that moment.  I know that I have gained a greater appreciation for the sound of Kami's music. 
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwUrS4LNjSE.  Take a minute to listen and enjoy!