Editor’s Note: The following essay was a winner in the Style category of the 2023-2024 First Year Writing Contest. It was nominated by Professor Amy Jo Minett.
As I sit here, over the blank page on my computer, I find myself transported back to a time long gone, a realm brimming with innocence, wonder, and the sweet melodies of childhood - the gentle tap of keys echoes like distant raindrops, a rhythm that harmonizes with those memories flooding my mind. It's funny how a simple song can have such a profound impact on our memories and emotions, how it can whisk us away to another place and time with just a few notes.
The song that holds this power over me is "Over the Rainbow" by Judy Garland – my mom would play it almost every day on her radio. Every time I hear those opening chords, I am instantly transported back to my childhood home on a little portion of basaltic rock surrounded by the salty Atlantic, Terceira Island – Home.
"Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue." - a cozy little place filled with love and laughter. I can almost feel the warmth of the sun streaming through the windows, the humidity of the air, the crystal blue skies with not a cloud to be seen, hear the laughter of my cousins echoing through the halls, and smell the comforting aroma of my mother's cooking wafting from the kitchen. Where innocence and wonder prevailed, and troubles just melt away.
"Remember when we used to dance around the living room to this song?" I'd say, laughing as my cousin Maria joined in, twirling around with imaginary partners – she has been my best friend since the day I was born.
"Yeah, those were the days," she would reply, her eyes sparkling with nostalgia.
Maria was the crescendo. Us, together, we pirouetted through the tapestry of our youth. Yet, even amidst the laughter and sunshine, there lingered shadows of sorrow and longing. In these moments, Maria’s presence was my compass, guiding me through the labyrinth of emotions with unwavering grace. And though the years have passed like grains of sand slipping through an hourglass, and even an ocean apart, she is still my lighthouse.
As the song progresses, so does my journey down memory lane – the echoes. " And the dreams that you dream of, once in a lullaby"- gets me going back to the lazy summer days spent running through fields, chasing butterflies, and building forts on the beach while our parents were sailing. I remember the thrill of riding my bike for the first time without training wheels, the taste of freshly picked tangerine from the garden, and the joy of discovering new adventures around every corner.
But along with the happy memories, there are also moments of sadness and longing. I remember the bittersweet feeling of saying goodbye to friends as we moved away, the ache of missing loved ones who were no longer with us, and the uncertainty of growing up and facing the challenges that lay ahead.
"I wish we could go back to those days," she would continue wistfully with her gaze drifting out the window to the distant horizon.
"Yeah, me too," I'd reply, filled with nostalgia for the carefree days of our childhood.
Yet, through it all, this song remained a constant source of comfort and hope. "Someday I'll wish upon a star, wake up where the clouds are far behind me." - These soothing lyrics served as a reminder that no matter how dark the storm clouds may seem, there is always a rainbow waiting to appear on the other side.
Even now, as an adult, the song still holds a special place in my heart and has the power to influence my mood in profound ways. On days when I'm feeling lost or overwhelmed, I'll put on that familiar tune and let its gentle melody wash over me, filling me with a sense of peace and nostalgia. It's as if for those few precious minutes, I am transported back to a simpler time, where anything was possible, and the world was filled with endless possibilities.
In a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain, it's comforting to know that there are certain things, like a beloved song from childhood, that will always be there to lift our spirits and remind us of the beauty and magic that still exists in the world. So, the next time you find yourself feeling down or in need of a little pick-me-up, I encourage you to close your eyes, turn on your favourite song, and let yourself be transported back to a time when life was simple, and the future was filled with endless promise - "Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops."