Five A.M. "moments"

I never got the diplomatic immunity vaccine, so I may not possess the proper credentials to speak regarding international relations; however . . . I think Canada’s greatest gift to America is the music of Anne Murray.

If there’s anyone I could choose to have in the pew behind me - singing “Joy to the World” during a cold and snowy Christmas Eve service, it would be Anne Murray.

Listening to beautiful love songs, from a beautiful voice can be emotional torture while you’re single - with no convincing evidence of the situation changing anytime soon. “You’re a Part of Me” is one of those songs. Listening to it with confidence in God’s best intentions and perfect timing (a preview of the now and not yet condition of life) kept the emotional torture to a minimum!

I enjoy discovering songs that have been hiding in front of my ears for decades. “Running” was never on the playlists of any radio stations I listened to. 1969 was not a year characterized by compassionate, understanding dialogue regarding U.S. involvement in Viet Nam and the Americans who chose to head to Canada.

Along those same lines, I was aware of the song title “Please Don’t Sell Nova Scotia” but I had never listened to the song until recently. I was convinced early on that Anne Murray sang from her heart and that the songs she recorded held meaning for her. This one seems to come out of her heart’s love and concern for her home, which has not been sold and, to my understanding, is not even on the market.

Another of the now and not yet songs that became a part of me is “Love Song.” The line, I want to show you the peaceful feeling of my home, is one I listened to with anticipation, looking forward to the time I could do exactly that. A couple years ago I was compiling a 71 song “minidisc” collection of a few Anne Murray songs. As I thought of the warmth and joy that song brought over the years, I realized that life had exceeded the hopes the song had stirred up. The peaceful feeling of my home surrounds me - thanks to my loving wife, our three sons and their loving wives, our grandchildren and the peaceful, gentle hand of our Lord -the Prince of Peace.

“Joy to the World” - Best of the Season (1995)

“You’re a Part of Me” - Let’s Keep It That Way (1978)

“Running” - Snowbird (1969)

“Please Don’t Sell Nova Scotia” - Highly Prized Possession (1974)

“Love Song” - Love Song (1974)