The Power of Music

By MT Chu

Music has always been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. There is a photo of me as a kid with a cast on my arm, but I was still dancing to my favorite song. To me listening to a specific song can teleport you to a different time in your life. Music gives me the ability to relive a precious moment, to reflect and be mindful, and to be aware that I am here and I am alive.

In 6th grade I took a trip to science camp, far away from home. This was the first time I ever left home on my own for a long period of time. When I was actually there for the week, time passed by so fast. I was having so much fun that I just wanted time to stop so I could stay there forever.

I really bonded with one of the camp counsellors at camp, we shared many interests like thrifting but we also had the same music taste. I’ll never forget the first day at the camp, I was so nervous but then I instantly clicked with my counsellor when she brought up Cuco.

We often hummed songs on the hikes. If that week was a movie the theme song would be Lover Is a Day by Cuco.

To me, 6th grade seemed so long ago. So much has happened since and so many memories have been made, my music taste also changed. I can barely even remember my counselor's name, I can only remember the name the camp assigned her. Every now and then when I revisit my old playlist I get transported back to probably one of the best weeks of my life and the happiest I have ever felt.

When I listen to a Cuco song I can’t help but feel so much joy. I have so many great memories attached to Cuco, like when I saw stars in the sky for the first time while feeling the crisp night wind blow against my face. And when me and my friend Ladybug, ran through the dark forest lined with little candles because we were too afraid to do the night trail walk by ourselves. But I also get feelings of nostalgia and sadness when I listen to Cuco, because I know I could never experience those moments again.

Because of that I live everyday with mindfulness and appreciation of everything and everyone around me. Music is so much more than sounds and lyrics to me, music can evoke feelings and bring back memories. I hope others can experience music the way I do because it is so beautiful. I’m always sharing and listening to songs with my friends and people that I meet. Because maybe in the future when someone hears a song playing in a mall or a coffee shop, they would think of me.