The past two months have been busy. Crazy busy. Insane busy.

And while I usually (read: almost always) listen to Audible books in the car, I just couldn’t do it the past couple of months. I typically like to listen to books that inform and educate me, because that’s probably the only way I’ll pick the book up. Sometimes I throw in a fiction book for good measure. But this time, I couldn’t take it. I couldn’t fit anything else in my brain. I didn’t even want to follow a storyline. I wanted to zone out (while driving safely, of course). So I turned on my iTunes shuffle and let the music wash over me.

I couldn’t believe how comforting it was! It was like manna from Heaven pouring out through my sound system. I rediscovered an old friend, a best friend. I listened to songs and albums that made my heart happy. I sang (way) out loud, relived old memories, cried fresh tears, laughed all over again and generally just enjoyed the moment. It was a fun surprise with each new song that popped up. And it helped get me through the last two months.

Thank you, music, for being part of so many great memories. I look forward to more of those moments.

Here are some of the songs and albums that drove me to my happy place:

• Any album by Caedmon’s Call, especially the early stuff
• Begin Again Soundtrack
• Chasing Daylight by Sister Hazel
• Continuum by John Mayer
• Effortless by Rita Springer
• Elizabethtown Soundtrack
• Fly by Dixie Chicks
• Fortress by Sister Hazel
• Galore by Guster
• James Taylor’s Greatest Hits
• Heavier Things by John Mayer
• Journey’s Greatest Hits
• Any Broadway Soundtrack
• Little Voice by Sara Bareilles
• Live Under Lights by Sandra McCracken
• North Point Live
• Resurrection by Nichol Sponberg
• Room for Squares by John Mayer
• Sacred Space by Steve Fee
• Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings by Counting Crows
• Saturday Night Music Club by Sheryl Crow
• Somewhere More Familiar by Sister Hazel
• Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Judy Garland
• Somore by Guster
• Together: Songs for the Soul
• U2: 18 Singles
• Wide Open Spaces by Dixie Chicks
• 7:22 Live

What makes your list?