Supposedly, the sense that is the most evocative of memory is smell. And I can attest that sometimes that is true. The scent of chalkdust and newly sharpened pencils definitely takes me back to grade school.

But I think that hearing might be a contender for top memory honors as well. Specifically when related to hearing music. In fact, listening to music from our past may even open up time travel.

Case in point: Theresa Venus and I (along with spouses and friends) attended an Elton John concert the other night. And suddenly, while dancing and singing along to songs we knew by heart, we were 17 again. Okay, it was really dark, so that helped the illusion.

Still, the years just fell away as the sunset faded into twilight and the full moon made its entrance. Flooded with happy nostalgia,  we slipped into that youthful experience of pure, rocking joy in the moment, needing nothing more, feeling the promise of life stretching out ahead of us.

Just like now. Our life stretches out ahead of us – at least the second half of it. And remembering will keep us vibrant and alive. Youth may be wasted on the young, but if we tap into it, it won’t be wasted on us menopause goddesses as we leap into our second childhood.

So, in the title I quote two of my favorite (and apropos) Elton John songs. I say them as a mantra: The Bitch is Back. And I’m Still Standing.  And dancing, and singing, and laughing out loud. I’m fifty fifteen and ready for rock and roll. Join me!

Click the link for a little taste of the magic:

Elton John Concert Lake Tahoe 2010