Without ever having planned it, or even desired it, fate ended up taking me to live, up until now, in six different cities – three in the country where I was born and three abroad. For more exploratory spirits, dwelling in half a dozen points on the world map may sound like a great adventure. At my age, when time seems to go by faster, so much moving makes me tired, and I confess that, by now, I would like to have already settled down in a place to call my own, where my roots could go deep into the soil without worrying about any major inclement weather. Last Saturday, however, a new countdown has begun. In one year, I’ll be planting my feet back on the land that bore me and shaped who I am, not knowing whether to stay for good or just for another stop on the path that will take me to the destination which will one day, finally, see me wither away. For sure, I have only the unsure. What makes me consoled is remembering that wherever I go, there’s a place that will always be my most solid, unshakable and forever home.
Although simple and brief, the following lines mean a lot to me. Inspired by one of the most amazing human beings I have ever had the privilege, honour and blessing of meeting, these were the first words I could scribble after starting to cross one of the darkest phases of my existence. The journey has just begun, but having her company brings tones enchantingly orange to the greyest of my days. ♡
My Place*
“In all those times of trouble, did you have a place to go that felt like a haven, a place where you could get some rest, a place where you felt cosy, safe, protected, at peace?”
[Maybe you want to take a moment to find your own answer before reading any further.]
In the universe of “normal” people, that question probably leads them to think of a physical place. In the context of the conversation I was having, I was clearly supposed to talk about a physical place. As being whatever is considered “normal” has never been my strength, those words immediately brought to my mind a thought that I just couldn’t help, a realisation that my heart has always known: music has always been, is, and will always be my haven, my rest, my cosiness, my safety, my protection, my peace. In other words, music is my place, my home!
Although presumably unusual, this was one of the fastest and easiest answers I ever gave. More than that, despite not being given to lies and superficialities, I can’t put into words the level of truth, depth, accuracy, and honesty contained in this statement. I recognise I’m indeed given to overthinking. I’m always wishing I could go back in time and change what I did, rephrase what I said, but this is an exceptional occasion in which I wouldn’t change a word. There’s no other place where I’d rather be. There’s no better place where I could live. Music is home to me!
♪ PURPLE RAIN
Dolly Parton [Prince]
Having just begun to cross what will be the most terrifying times of my whole life, in the rare chances I’ve had to simply breath during the last days, I’ve been comforted, warmed and revived by this rock classic brilliantly covered by a living legend of country music. Back to the late ’90s, when, more than an obvious soundtrack for most rock fans, this song started becoming part of my life and shaping the woman I was beginning to be, it was engraved in my memory as one of the sexiest songs I ever heard. Today, reframed and resized by Dolly Parton’s inexhaustible talent, Purple Rain is now a home.
[track #2 on the Musings N’ Music Soundtrack playlist]
*Originally published on 5 April 2024, on the (now inactive) Musings N’ Music Medium profile.