Heart and Soul

Music is my life, so we chose carefully. Shuffling back and forth, making up our minds, only to change them once again.

Thankfully, we had the help of our other musical counterparts. Amy, my brother, and cousin weighed in and threw songs our way. Pie Nights turned into service planning nights, and many included mostly the music.

The processional song was set from the beginning. An unwavering Ave Maria. This was my grandmother's favorite song - and she - one of my very favorite people. We played this song the day of our wedding as I walked down the isle. Somehow it once again struck me as perfect. I especially wanted and needed my grandmother's presence on Aviana's day.

In the end, we chose the songs which meant the most to us as a family. We also made sure they best represented both the good, and difficult times.

Christine McVie has always been my favorite in Fleetwood Mac, and Songbird has never held more meaning to me than after we lost Aviana. 

Gary Allan ties our family together beautifully. We all shared so much laughter and happiness together while listening to him. Aviana was such a goof over that man! I have no idea where she got that! Probably Dave! Not only did Aviana and I completely bond over him, but he also happens to be one who understands true tragedy. Gary Allan's music continued to help through the years after Aviana's accident, so appropriate doesn't even begin to describe his collection.

The Beatles. Where do I begin? I suppose all my life, but truly back in the 9th grade when my room was floor to ceiling covered, and that's just about all you heard coming from my speakers. Yep, I was that girl, the one with every ounce of paraphernalia. And Blackbird? How could I have known at such a young age? That melody and those perfectly strung lyrics would so beautifully apply in my life and to our freshly freed girl? Never. Not ever. All these songs, I could never have imagined - to me, to her, to us, and especially in this way. Ever.

I've never really been a Garth Brooks fan. In fact, I only have about three of his songs. So when my cousin floated me The Dance, I was hesitant. One listen, and I was in tears. It was so incredibly powerful. I never listened through the ears of death. Every single time I watch the video, I have no choice but to cry. If not that day in the beginning, I will because of that song. It's perfect. I am eternally grateful for that song. Every word resonates with us.

We went back and forth with the recessional song most. As people walk out, they may want a more upbeat, pep in their step feeling...you know, before they go eat their Costco hosted lunch. Would you expect anything else from this family? Aviana was the Snapple Queen and for us, (meaning all) going to Costco is a serious hobby! We were brought up that way. It's in our blood. Dave says I'm a cheap date because all he has to do is take me to a different Costco! He's right.

Anyway, I was torn between IZ's version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow (which I think is one of the most beautiful songs ever) and The Band Perry, If I Die Young. Back and forth we circled. Dave and I finally said, "It has to be If I Die Young!" We felt it most. It was Aviana's story. It was our story. It was our end. It was what's to come. It was everything. The lyrics summed up our journey, the day to come, and the rest of our life as we saw it - both happy and sad at times, both blessed and a difficult at times. Overall, we loved it because it represented our reality. We thought it was the perfect send off.