I Cannot Imagine My Life Without Music...

Music and poetry have been a major part of my life; from my earliest recollections of my beautiful mother who had the voice of an angel, to every major event in my life. There has always been music.  My paternal grandparents were both musicians.  Grandpa played the fiddle and guitar, and Grandma played the mandolin and harmonica.  My childhood memories are filled with "Turkey in the Straw."

I wrote my first poem when I was in High School at the age of sixteen. It was a poem about fasting because I was fasting for two days prior to receiving my Patriarchal Blessing. It was a silly little poem, and I don't even think I have it anymore. But it came fror my heart and that is where all of my poetry and music comes from.

My first music came from a silly little tune that kept popping into my head every time I was depressed or anxious about being a 24-year-old mother of four (all under five years of age). I had only been married for five years, and it seemed like there were no breaks between babies. Needless-to-say, my days were filled with frustrations, hard work, and a whole lot of love.

Those were my beginnings. Many words and more melodies have floated in and out of my head over the past 50 years. It is only within the last 4 or 5 years that I have seriously begun putting my poetry to music. It has been a rewarding journey. I don't profess to be an expert, nor do I desire notoriety or fame. I just want to express the feelings of my heart in poetry and music and leave something of myself for my children and Grandchildren.

I recently re-read my Great-Great Grandfather's history and discovered a few things I had missed the first time I read it. Thomas Davenport was a Potter and he was also a musician. He loved the gospel very much and was an outspoken missionary wherever he went. You'll find his Hymn #322, "Come, All Ye Sons Of God."  Reading that inspired me to start writing Hymns. I have written a few of my own and have submitted a couple to Salt Lake City for consideration. But, alas, I cannot compete
with the "Masters"It's OK, I still love what I do and will continue to do it with love.