I knew that sometime during the blog challenge there was going to be a post about U2; I just wasn’t sure when. I won’t wax eloquent about U2. They’re not everyone’s cup of tea, but for anyone who is a fan, you might enjoy my post about meeting Bono a few years ago. It was a Beautiful Day

HTDAAB (as it’s known by fans) came out in November 2004. At this time, our children were 11, 10, 9, 6, and as-yet-unborn. I was homeschooling my heart out, and running from morning to night and back again. This was my “Be ALL The Things to ALL The People” phase and I’m didn’t have much time for anything that wasn’t urgent and extremely important. Although I’d been a U2 fan since the early 80’s, I hadn’t had time to notice U2 for several years.

I acknowledge that I view Bono as a poet, and a pretty awesome one at that. This album in particular seems to be a very beautiful rendition of a particular time in his life, a time when he seemed to be very much in touch with his heart and very able to share it.

Bono obviously knows what love is. He is married to his first and only wife. He is in a band with three friends he has known since high school. I see that reality reflected especially in the lyrics of this album. I’ve never seen an interview with him about his marriage, but I’ve heard him talk a lot about his bandmates.

So what? Well, I find it inspiring when a celebrity loves his wife for over 30 years, stays with his friends for even longer, stands up for the less fortunate, and is a father to four children. And when that celebrity creates beautiful lyrics and music, I want more of that!

Having been married to my husband (another great H word) for 28 years, I think I can say with some certainty that it takes some real intention to stay married, to be faithful to keeping a family intact, and to stay the course.

My favorite line from this album speaks to the reality of long-term marriage:

I could never take a change
Of losing love to find romance
In that mysterious distance
Between a man and a woman
(from A Man and A Woman)


Bonus: Official music video of  Sometimes You Can’t Make it On Your Own

What music inspires you in life and love?