This post is dedicated to my dad, on his birthday. It’s going to be a little more lighthearted than some of my others. So relax, we won’t be having an existential crisis today. Instead, I’m reflecting on something my dad taught me: the power of music.
Growing up, my dad had one rule when it came to the stereo: country music, and only country music. We’re talking everything from classic 90s country to the old honky tonk tunes that ran through his veins. And let’s be honest, he wasn’t too thrilled when I introduced anything new to the mix (goodbye MTV music videos). But, come to think of it, there was one exception. It was a lone ZZ Top album of my mom’s that somehow made its way into the rotation. That’s probably as close as my dad ever got to a “wild card” track.
But the music? That was always a constant. It was there in the little moments, like my dad playing guitar and singing in the kitchen, and in the big ones, like his band turning our living room into a full-blown concert. It was the honky tonk Christmas songs that played every year while we decorated the tree, making even the simplest traditions feel special. It was the way my sister and I couldn’t help but throw ourselves into dramatic, over-the-top interpretive dances at every big event, completely lost in whatever song was playing. No matter what kind of day we were having—good, bad, or all over the place—there was always music to match the mood. And in all of it, I found a love for music that still stays with me today.
One memory I’ll never forget was when my sister Codi, my baby brother Colton, and I were in the back seat of my dad’s truck, windows down, with the sun streaming through. My dad was blasting a Shania Twain CD—one we’d listened to a million times before. We were probably halfway through the album when my dad, without missing a beat, bursts into a full-throated version of ‘Man, I feel like a woman!’ We couldn’t stop laughing. Every time the chorus hit, we were fighting for our lives, just to avoid peeing our pants. But that moment wasn’t just funny, it was one of those memories that stuck with me because it wasn’t just about the song. It was about how music connected us, how it could bring us closer even when everything else felt not-so-easy.
In a house that could be a little chaotic, music was a steady presence. When the tension was thick or the energy was off, my dad would put on a song and let it play. And suddenly, the air would change. Whether it was a classic country ballad that slowed everything down or a rowdy anthem that lifted our spirits, music was teaching us how to roll with the ups and downs of life. It wasn’t just background noise, it was the soundtrack to our lives.
Looking back now, I realize music was more than just an old CD collection. It was a foundation. A reminder that even in the midst of chaos, there’s always something to hold onto, something that brings us back together. It didn’t need to be perfect, it just needed to be.
Now, I’ve got a playlist for every mood, and I’m pretty sure I listen to more genres than anyone should admit (though I’ll always go back to that 90s country). If the sun is shining and I’m all smiles, I have an upbeat pop playlist to keep the good vibes going. If I need to ground myself, I have the perfect mix of inspirational songs to pull me back to center. And if I feel like I’m losing my mind, sinking into one of those dark, heavy days, I have my country songs, the ones that have been with me since childhood. The ones that can pull me back when nothing else can. It’s like they reach into my chest, shake something loose, and remind me I’m not alone. That someone, somewhere, has felt exactly what I’m feeling. And somehow, that makes all the difference.
Now, my kids have found their love of music. The second we get in the car, they are asking me, ‘Mom, can I have a song?’ And I love it (even if it’s Welcome to New York for the 100th time this week). I’m passing down that same joy of music, the same reminder that it can bring us together no matter what’s going on around us.
We all have those little constants in life, right? Maybe it’s music, maybe it’s books, or that one corner of the house that just feels like home. Whatever it is, hold on to it. Those little things have a way of grounding us more than we realize. They remind us that even when life is unpredictable, we can always count on something to bring us back to a place of peace.
So, what’s the soundtrack of your life? What brings you back when everything feels like it’s spinning out of control? I’d love to hear about it. Maybe it’s a song, a place, or a tradition you carry with you. Share in the comments—let’s keep the music playing.
Happy birthday, Dad. I love you.
With love & light,
Jessica ♡
Unraveling the Self 
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