The Songs That Stay With Us

We made the trek to a music festival in Lisbon this weekend, and I could not have prepared myself for how emotional I would feel.

Cyndi Lauper was one of my favorites when I was a kid. I loved that she was quirky, weird, colorful, fun, and completely herself. I listened to her albums over and over, and there was something about her music that made me feel less alone.

I didn’t always feel like I fit in as a kid. My brother didn’t either. We were not really accepted for our beliefs, except by our close friends, and her music made me feel like being different was okay.

So standing in a huge crowd in Lisbon, surrounded mostly by Portuguese people of all ages who somehow knew every song, was unexpectedly moving. I kept thinking about the kid version of me listening to those songs and how strange and beautiful it felt to be hearing them all these years later with thousands of people who felt connected to them too.

During “Time After Time,” she had everyone hold up their phones and look around. Seeing all that light across such a massive crowd was incredible, and her words reminding us that we were the light in the world brought me to tears.

Then, of course, there was “True Colors,” which has always made me cry and probably always will. The rainbows on the screens felt especially meaningful because we were missing the Pride parade in Sevilla to be there. But in that moment, I felt like I was still witnessing some of the same spirit of love, belonging, and the reminder to really see people for who they are.

Earlier in the day, we were lucky enough to see The Wailers who have always brought their own message of peace, love, and unity. People were singing along to “One Love,” “Three Little Birds,” “Get Up, Stand Up,” and “Could You Be Loved.” As Bob Marley showed us, we can make more progress spreading love than hate, even when the world gives us plenty of reasons to feel discouraged.

Cyndi was moving around the stage, same as ever, at 73, still funny and still rebellious. I loved her as a kid because she seemed free, and I think seeing her all these years later reminded me that the things that help us survive when we’re young can still speak to us when we’re older.

Be yourself. See people for who they are. Push back when people try to take us backward. Keep moving toward love.

💛

Reflection Question: What music made you feel more understood when you were younger?

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