5 songs that mean a lot to me.

Rob, who facilitates a support group that I am a member of has been unbelievably supportive during this awful, awful time. He has e mailed us nearly every day, sometimes more than once a day! He has also taken the time out to call us every week to see how we are doing. An amazing man!

In one of his mails to us, he asked to send him a list of our favourite 5 songs. I didn’t think that I could come with a full list of 5, but amazingly I did and I put a short commentary with each song. I thought I would share what I came up with.

1.  I Am A Rock. – Simon and Garfunkel

For a huge part of my life, I have felt that I am an Island, that I was on my own. The following verse particularly seems to parody a huge part of my life, especially my teenage years.

I’ve built walls A fortress deep and mighty
That none may penetrate
I have no need of friendship, friendship causes pain
It’s laughter and it’s loving I disdain

2.  Bridge Over Troubled Waters. – Simon and Garfunkel

This song is dedicated to a woman who has been in my life for 38 years.  She has been by my side through thick and thin.  She has literally dried my eyes Hundreds of time, given me hugs when I need it and space  when I need  it Yet, to this day she does not know the reason why and has never pushed me to explain my distress  She is amazing and has literally saved my life many times.   There has been oodles of love and she has  spent countless nights in my bed, but theres has been not one ounce of romance. Absolute proof that opposite genders can have a very deep relationship without sex.

The opening verse sums it up.

When you’re weary, feeling small,
When tears are in your eyes
I will dry them all
I’m on your side
Oh when times get rough
And friends just can’t be found

3. This Is Me – Keala Settle (Rock Choir version)

This is my favourite song that we sing at Rock Choir.  It sums up how I feel since I have become disabled.  It explains how people with disabilities feel about how they are treated by the populous, but it is also a song if hope and is a great confidence booster.

The first verse grabbed my attention the first time I read it!

I’m not a stranger to the dark
Hide away, they say
‘Cause we don’t want your broken parts
I’ve learned to be ashamed of all my scars
Run away, they say
No one will love you as you ar. But I won’t let them break me down to dust
I know that there’s a place for us
For we are glorious

4. Abide With Me – William Monk

As I think most of you know, I do have a deep religious faith (Christian), despite my past! and although this hymn is sung an awful lot at funerals, it does sum up how I feel that Lord the is always with me.  The verse that I have chosen is the final verse and aptly sums how I feel.

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless:
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness:
Where is death’s sting? where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

5. I Did It My Way – Frank Sinatra

My final song, is,  I guess, a song that a lot of people choose but is has to be Sinatras’  version for me.

I have not had an easy life,  but I have tried to live my life, despite my horrific past ‘My Way’ and not let the past dominate.  I haven’t  always been successful. but boy have I tried.

The verse I have chosen, is I think the third verse and sums it up for me.

The the line, I Planned Each Charteerd Course, is particularly pertinent to my Career working with those have Autism. This Career spanned 25 years and ended with me being appointed Senior Manager of A Charity providing Residential care and work projects for for over fifty adults living with Autism a post o held for 8 years. 

I managed 4 houses each with five people living in them and two work projects each with 25+ people working in there and I managed a team of 70+ staff! 

I meticulously planned every single step in order for me to reach my last position.  By the time my career ended, (health issues forced me to stop), I was officially the most experienced person in the country in the hands on care of people living with Autism.  I worked with people aged 5 – 93 and did it My Way. I am sure that you will all know the verse I have chosen,

Regrets, I’ve had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption
I planned each charted course
Each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way