MYSTERIES for the Kid in All of US
There are Mysteries for the Kids in All of Us that seem coincidental yet are the stuff of magic making our everyday lives extraordinary.
There are wonderful mysteries that we live-out every day that may seem like mere coincidences. We often do not realize the marvels of such daily little puzzles until it culminates in an amazing event, which we cannot ignore. Then we feel the shiverals of mysterious magic that cannot be denied.
EVENT
We have hosted our annual Concert on the Lawn for years, gathering neighbors and friends in an afternoon of magical music. We enjoy having diverse musical offerings that surprise, delight and entertain our guests. You never know what will be presented, from a professional string ensemble to a Celtic band, to opera, musical theater, contemporary piano, cello flute duet, or even tap dancing and a bag piper!
This year was no different. The magic was everywhere!
YOUNG PERFORMERS
We have been doing this long enough that some of the children who have attended over the years have grown into performers themselves. Our introductory number was an amazing young composer who created his own work, playing and recording the many parts and instruments, then playing the theme on the piano ‘live’.
He was followed by a remarkable string quartet of Middle school musicians who played bass, viola and violin. They performed Handel, Beethoven and Gluck!
There truly was a mystical feeling in the air – inspiring and heart-warming – to watch these young people bring us the magic of their music.
SURPRISE PERFORMANCES
My husband and I enjoyed a recent musical performance, Dames at Sea (Bucks County Playhouse). We decided to attend again and treat our daughter’s family to the fun. The surprise? We sat next to a young high school lady who enthusiastically spoke of her own background in musical theater. Next thing you know, she agreed to perform for our Concert on the Lawn! And she was a showstopper! What a voice! What stage presence! She sang from, Sweeny Todd, South Pacific, and then did her version of ‘Valerie’! Applause galore!
Another surprise awaited us from Mother Nature’s mysteries. I was playing Debussy pieces on my flute, and noticed people in the audience pointing to the clear blue sky above us. My flute notes brought four hawks circling, spiraling, gliding through the air – dancing to the music!
YOUNG AUDIENCE
The audience comes early to spread their blankets and set-up their chairs before the performance. It all began with a grandmother who arrived extra early with her granddaughter, so that I could sign my new book, The Secrets of Windy Hill, for her. The little girl (7) was charming, talking about how she loves Jesse, and she can’t wait for the next chapter. Then, as the young pianist warmed up the piano keys, she flit though our garden paths like a little faerie sprite. It was like something out of a movie!
OLD CONNECTIONS
There is always a feeling of grand connections, weaving along, as we greet our guests before the performance. The more the merrier!
Laughter, hugs, and kisses bubble up and over, as we renew so many friendships. Some of our connections go w-a-a-a-y back to college days, both for my husband and for me. True to form, we welcomed my husband’s college roommate and his wife (we were in each other’s weddings!); then speaking of weddings, we had newlyweds arrive: my college friend just married her sweetheart in June!
NEW CONNECTIONS
As we embraced our friends and neighbors, we noticed new faces – familiar – yet not sure where we had met. And of course, there is a little mysterious, ‘coincidental’, connection for each of them.
I introduced one new acquaintance to another new contact – and it turned out their families had been old friends and business associates from years ago!
A woman we met on the grounds of a gorgeous local garden – last Spring!
There was a couple I met at a college event a few months ago.
A man we sat near at a restaurant and struck up an amazing conversation!
People we have met while out walking our neighborhood – – – All here – connecting!
MY LIGHT
Our beautiful singer/dancer performer, Colette Boudreaux, brought me a special gift: her handmade jewelry: a necklace with the words: IN MY OWN LIGHT! Then she sang and danced like the star she is!
My favorite mysterious, ‘coincidental’ connection came from our final act – a Barber Shop Quartet.
One of their songs came right out of my new book! In The Secrets of Windy Hill, the Irving Berlin song, ‘Always’ is a theme song for Jesse’s grandmother, Gemma.
When the men finished their performance, I went to the stage to tell of our mysterious connections.
I had in my hands my magical Light Stick: the only way to turn on the lights within is with our own Light energy, which can be found in each of us – – – our full human connection. And we lit it up BIG TIME! (See my website menu: LIGHTSTICK – scroll down for the video demonstration.)
MYSTERIES for the Kid in All of Us
Then I explained the connection of their song, ‘Always’, to my book, The Secrets of Windy Hill – and the tender-hearted story of Irving Berlin (which is in the Book Ends section of my book: Glossary of Imaginator People:
Berlin, Irving – (1888-1989) Russian born, American immigrant; popular songwriter of hits like “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” and “White Christmas.” Personal notes: Berlin wed Dorothy Goetz in 1912, but she died months after their honeymoon (typhoid fever). In 1925, he fell in love with heiress Ellin Mackay. Her father was against the courtship and sent her to Europe, during which time Berlin wrote beautiful tunes of yearning: “What’ll I Do” and “Always.” Upon her return to the United States, the couple eloped. They were married a very long time, until Mackay’s death in 1988, and they had four children.
A great, grand story of the mystery connections – at the end of a concert for kids of all ages – – – in my book for kids of all ages!
[You can order your copy of The Secrets of Windy Hill here. ]
LIGHT ON!
