When I was a teenager in the 1960s, I became pregnant. In those days, one lived away from home until the baby was born to avoid scandal. Once my daughter was born, I quickly gave her up for adoption. Although I knew it was the best life decision for both her and me, at the time, it made me sad and depressed. After I returned to my hometown, I attempted to resume my former life, but things were never the same. My teenaged-self experienced life with the emotions and maturity of young … [Read more...]
Musical Memories: Ballad of the Green Berets
With all the heightened rhetoric these days about the potential for armed conflict between the U.S. and North Korea, it seems especially fitting this week to commemorate National Purple Heart Day on August 7. This special day honors all of the brave men and women over the years who have been injured or given their lives for our country. This post specifically honors my husband, 1st Lieutenant James Larry Hull, and father to our daughter, Laura. Larry was posthumously awarded the Purple … [Read more...]
Musical Memories: Morning Has Broken
The song “Morning Has Broken” (listen here) introduced me to Cat Stevens in the 1970s. Since then, he has been one of my favorite musicians. “Morning Has Broken” was first published in 1931. An English author, Elanot Farjeon, wrote the words and they were set to the music of a traditional Scottish Gaelic tune known as “Bunessan.” This song reached number six on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and, in 1972, number one on the U.S. Easy Listening chart. This song was soothing and supportive … [Read more...]
Musical Memories: The Long and Winding Road
“The Long and Winding Road” by the Beatles has always been a favorite song of mine. Written by Paul McCartney and released in May 1970, one month after the group broke up, it was the group’s last number one hit on Billboard. Listen to the song here. This poignant song has always resonated with me because of what was going on in my own life at the time. That summer, my husband Larry had just been deployed to Vietnam. My feelings of loss and abandonment at his departure were beginning to … [Read more...]
Musical Memories: “Home” by Meg Hutchinson
This week’s musical artist and song may not be familiar to you. I didn’t know about them until recently but, I must tell you, I’ve discovered a new heroine. Meet Meg Hutchinson. She’s a young poet, song writer and vocalist who spreads her message of hope and courage while debunking the stigma toward those who face mental illness. Listen to one of Meg’s songs, “Home” here. At nineteen years of age, Meg experienced her first serious bout of depression, but did not receive treatment. Within … [Read more...]
