Movies about fish and other things that make me emotional

Let me just say what's on my mind for a moment.

Matt Nielsen, a roommate of mine from my time at BYU and a genius in terms of writing music and all things sound, asked me a question about four or five years ago. "Have you ever heard a song that you really identified with?" He told me that Coldplay's "Amsterdam" does that for him. I don't think I ever gave him an answer, but recently I think I acknowledged my "Amsterdam."

I've had John Mayer's album Continuum for several years and it's about the only music by him that I have. The song "Stop This Train" really hits home for me. Every time it comes into my iTunes playlist (once in a great while), I stop and listen to it. Every time. I stop and consider the words.

Our fridge broke recently. Or, rather, it had another broken part that needed replacement. It was a new fridge, maybe two months old, and it needed a repair about one month into its life. This was after our other fridge died. If you can follow that, that's two months and three breaks. Which means having to throw out food three times in two months.

It's not the worst thing that's ever happened to us, but sometimes I sit back and wonder why silly things like this happen. (I mean, come on, what are the odds of three fridge problems in two months?) And when I feel stressed or overburdened, I like to think about my childhood—when things were simpler. Often I find myself longing for that simple mindset again, when my only worries were what are we going to do for fun today and what's for dinner.

But I guess John Mayer must feel the same way sometimes. Every time a particular part of the song comes on, I really stop and feel it:

Had a talk with my old man
Said help me understand
He said turn 68, you'll renegotiate
Don't stop this train
Don't for a minute change the place you're in

It's a reminder that while I have hard times now and the past feels much simpler and much easier to handle, I should cherish every moment. Cliché, I know, but that's the reality of it. Dennis, in fact, reminded me once or twice that I should enjoy Rich how he is now because he'll grow up before I know it. And since he's almost walking, I'm starting to think Dennis is right.

I take some media very personally, like this song by John Mayer. To my recollection, Finding Nemo is the only movie I ever shed tears during. It's embarrassing, but true. And the ending of It's a Wonderful Life always levels me.

So what about you? Is there a song that you really identify with for some reason?