Music...The Healer Of All Souls

"A song can speak and heal when there are no words."-Kimberly Schlapman

This really is true. Music has always been there when no one else has...through the good and the bad times. It sometimes filled the void that was present at certain times in my life. It can bring a smile to your face or bring you to tears. It can say what's inside your soul but you just couldn't find the words to say. It can describe what you didn't realize you were feeling until you heard a particular song.

Personally, I don't know what I'd do without music. I can honestly say I don't think I'd be alive without it. It helped lift me out of the darkest depression I was in. There were days where I'd sit in my room all day listening to songs such as "Angels Cry" by Everlife, "One Day You Will" by Lady Antebellum, and "Stand Back Up" by Sugarland. I'd listen to them on repeat and just bawl my eyes out until I had no more tears to cry. There were other days where I was so numb I didn't know what I was feeling and the music got me through it.

Music got me through my parents' divorce. It was always there for me through my teenage years. In high school, I was obsessed with Christina Aguilera. The reason for that being that she had an abusive father (though hers was physically abusive, mine usually was not) and I felt like she knew what I was going through...I could relate to her songs and her pain. It helped me know I was not alone.

Music was there for me through my grandma's death. "I Miss You" by Inhabited and "Lost" by Little Big Town were the 2 songs I constantly listened to. I had Little Big Town's CD playing on the way to go say goodbye to my grandma. When I shut the car off, I didn't realize what song was next. I wasn't even thinking about it. Saying goodbye to my grandma was really hard and I walked out of there bawling, but I'm so glad I had the chance and the time with her. When I got into my car to leave, "Lost" came on. I just sat there and cried some more. It felt so healing and refreshing though and I was so glad my grandma wouldn't have to suffer anymore. She passed away that night.

Music is what gave me the courage to get out of some abusive relationships. "Evangeline" by Little Big Town made me realize just how abusive my dad was. I always rationalized it because it wasn't physical and I had no proof. But sometimes the emotional scars are worse...and they stay with you longer than the physical ones do. That song, along with "Stupid Boy" by Sarah Buxton, really helped me in realizing that and giving me the courage to get out of that situation and move out.

And now, "Lean Into It" by Little Big Town is my song. I can't help but think that in some parts, they may have been thinking specifically about me when they were writing this song. They know my story, they know what I've been through, through the letters I've written them. And when they sang this live, it was all I could do not to cry, as Karen and Kimberly sang a few parts looking directly at me.

Thank you, Kimberly, Karen, Phillip, and Jimi for writing music with meaning and with us fans in mind that we can all relate to and that can be a source of healing in our lives.