The Good Old Days

The ideal piece of art for me is the song Letter to Me by Brad Paisley. This is a song that I have known for many years and used to love as a little girl, but only now has it become really significant in my life. It resonates so strongly with me as it represents my feelings, hopes and fears when I have trouble putting them into words myself. Because we are all about to graduate high school, a lot is changing as we prepare to go off on our own and it can be scary letting go of the life you have lived for so long in your childhood home. This song comforts me and reminds me that everything will be okay.

It offers the story of someone going through just what we all are and reassures that you have your whole life ahead of you and all that seems incomprehensible now will be outshone by all that is to come.  

“And oh you got so much going for you going right

But I know at 17 it's hard to see past Friday night

Tonight's the bonfire rally

But you're staying home instead because if you fail Algebra

Mom and dad will kill you dead

Trust me you'll squeak by and get a C

And you're still around to write this letter to me

You've got so much up ahead

You'll make new friends

You should see your kids and wife

And I'd end up saying have no fear

These are nowhere near the best years of your life”

As I get ready to leave for college, I have also been thinking about all the people who have helped me get to the place I am now.

“And you should really thank Mrs. Brinkman

She spend so much extra time

It's like she sees the diamond underneath

And she's polishing you 'til you shine”

This line reminds me of my neighbor, who has become like a second mom to me in the many years I’ve lived next door to her.

This song proves to me how strong of a hold art can have on our emotions. I know that I will carry this ideal piece of art with me for the rest of my life and many years from now it will bring me back to “the good old days”. Some day I hope to hear it live.