It is written, “Jones debuted in 2002 with Come Away with Me, a mellow, acoustic pop album featuring several recognized jazz musicians.”
I can now tell you, “Just in time.”
I grew up in a 1,200-foot track house on the southeast side of OKC. From that first tiny built-in bathtub that fit me just right, I have been a fan of baths over showers. It feels so cozy, snuggling me just right to prepare for a good night’s sleep. Even my babysitter’s house had a nice tub, memorably thin and warn washcloths, and childhood memories or photos when little bitty kids used to all be thrown into one tub to play, splash, giggle, and bathe together. Then later on the farm, baths would be a special time after a long hard day as we stepsisters took turns with a fresh bath, but had a ritual of chatting with each other outside the bathroom door to keep each other company.
By 2002, I was living in my “dream home” in which I had remodeled the master bath without restraint. I remember in the Dallas designer showroom, I had climbed into the biggest soaking tub I could find, boots, jeans, and all. No jets, bells, or whistles, just space, lots and lots of it. In hindsight, it never occurred to me how long it would take or how much water it would take to fill it up. It never crossed my mind that the huge picture window would have to be removed by the contractor just to get it in the house. I loved that tub. I have actual photos of friends dressed in our evening’s finest posing in that huge tub together, fully dressed, with our heads tilted back in full-on laughter. It was a party favorite, sitting on the edge of that big tub with gal pals holding our cocktails as we obsessed about what was going on at the party just outside the door. I even had friends who, if going through a rough time, would come over after I ran them a luxurious aromatherapy bath to decompress in a nice bath while I would open a bottle of wine, and prepare them a meal at the opposite end of the house.
Then when Norah Jones debuted “Come Away with Me” I realized she had composed just for me the perfect bathtime ballad and album. I thought the words were like my personal sophisticated theme song instead of the cheeky “Calgon, take me away” jingle.
I did not realize that year, my perfect musical accompaniment would actually be words of divorce. And finally but suddenly leaving my husband. Leaving my dream house. And saying goodbye to my dream tub. Norah’s words of “come away with me” were to take me lord knows where, as I had no plan.
The next setting of a candle, bubble bath, tub, and “home” where Norah performed my bathtime ritual album at day’s end? A 2nd story 500-square-foot apartment for 6 months. Clean, but short and shallow, requiring bent knees and the feeling of being in the tightest quarters as a crying chamber for my tears.
When starting my life over in Austin, I literally chose the first rent house mostly based on the big tub, a little more than I should afford, but cheaper than therapy. Norah joined me in the new big tub after divorce recovery classes. She stayed with me until I hired a matchmaker and eventually met the MAN of my dreams instead of a house.
And then let the travels begin. From Caribbean islands, to surf camps, and a sailboat, from St. Thomas, Puerto Rico, to Costa Rica – most did not have tubs, but showers, understandably. But his 1899 historic house would take us 5 years to preserve to its original state. From its original very long antique clawfoot tub, to the three modernized restored tubs we added to the estate, Norah was back! She traveled with me to each tub, to each fresh and loving setting in one old home. Three stories and a new carriage house, her voice could be heard throughout at night.
After that property sale, Norah has joined me in a crappy little ranch-style short tub in a rented house that could barely hold our remaining crap and patience. Back to my single-girl tub for a time as we prepared to move out of the country and out of Texas. The years fly by.
So with this year’s birthday and celebrating another trip around the sun, Norah helped me realize this week during a much-needed long bath, that finally in my 50s, I have my dream husband, my dream career, my dream new circles of friends, lifestyle, and…
Two beautiful new tubs that we have worked so hard to design in this great life and chapter for us. Norah did come away with me. To a new home and lifestyle in Florida. And here in Panama, when her sultry and whispering voice only competes with the sounds of the many birds you can hear here in the jungle by the sea.