The Final Countdown

...No, this post is not about that god-awful Europe song. I am actually referring to 23 1/2 hours before the U2 show in Raleigh. One week ago today, I couldn't have imagined that I would completely luck out in getting to go especially after not being able to get the affordable tickets I desired. I am so utterly thankful to my friend, Lisa, as this simple act of inviting me to the show means more to me than anyone could ever know.

As I drove this evening from work, listening to U2 (I switched back and forth between the Joshua Tree CD and War in my tape deck), I was trying to figure out why I have considered them one of my very favorite rock bands for 26 years. Could it be their uncanny ability to reinvent themselves so that their music has never gotten stale for all of these years? Their often political and cerebral lyrics? The Irish accents? After much pondering and making my way through Raleigh back to Cary, I suppose my love affair with this band must have something to with the fact that when I hear many of their songs, that I am instantly reopening some chapter in my autobiography. With having such a relatively nomadic existence up until 5 years ago, music has consistently served as a touchstone to help me remember the many places I've called home.

While sometimes silly and bittersweet, some of U2's catalog of songs have peppered my memories since the age of 14. Here are a few examples:

• 1983: That was the summer when we finally got cable television. It's sounds less exciting than it actually was, but it meant 24 hour channels, MTV (back when all they showed were music videos), and forbidden movies after dark on HBO. Television that lonely summer was my only friend; my family and I moved from Scottsdale, AZ to Denver. It was difficult leaving all of my friends, my cute boyfriend, the house with a swimming pool, and the excitement of going to high school with lots of familiar faces. What I received instead was living in a hotel (my dad was the general manager) near a confluence of highways and railroad tracks along with no opportunities to meet anyone my age. It was during this time that I discovered the staccato beats and the haunting refrain of "wipe your tears away" from Sunday, Bloody Sunday. I listened carefully to Bono's advice and tried to make it through my isolation the best I could.

• 1984: Much controversy during the early to mid-80s arose when states began to propose that Martin Luther King's birthday be observed as an official holiday. I was only 15 years old, but I knew that Dr. King spoke and toiled for all people. It was puzzling to me why someone would object to honoring him in this manner. Pride (In the Name of Love) was a beautiful ode to such a strong leader. Every April 4th since then, the lyrics of "early morning, April 4, shots ring out in the Memphis sky" seem to buzz through head all day and force me to stop and recall Dr. King's legacy.

• 1987: Bono's soulful harmonica and bittersweet lyrics from "Trip Through Your Wires" became the background music in this time of discovering young love and the pain of heartache. Twenty-two years later, this song still permeates my soul in a hurtful and sweetly sentimental way.

• 1991: The CD"Achtung Baby" was one of the first joint purchases during this inagural year of my married life. The financial struggles and general anxiety of adult life during that time always seemed to melt away with every chord. I still get goosebumps when Bono sings "Love is a temple, love the higher law" from the uber-powerful "One".

• 2000: Dan and I celebrated the birth of our darling son that fall. That first year was awfully tough as the anxiety of being responsible for such a tiny being and the sleepless nights worn down my soul at times. Hearing "Beautiful Day" always caused me to pause for a moment and look into the sweet cherubic face of my little guy and realize "this too shall pass"....of course, the memories of Dan and my brother Joe's horrible impression of Bono singing that song still produces a hearty guffaw...

For all of this, U2 has remained a constant in my roller-coaster life...and I am grateful.

About 22 more hours to go. Wow.

Until next time, keep it on "11"...