Effects of Exploring the Mystics

As some of you may recall, a couple of blogs back I said I was taking a Practical Mysticism class at church. I also mentioned that I have a project due in about 4 weeks, which is to write a report on a mystic of my choice, and I was keeping mine secret. And I still am!

Almost every day I have done more research on him, some things I find are about the same, others are getting me a little more detail beyond the commercial stock info. Though I still find the need to discover more, and have actually been begging a resource to the family to pleeeeese! give me more detail!!!!!, I am totally in love with what I have.

Oh, yeah...it is a much better pillow!

The books for the class for me have been practically a wasted investment aside from the fact that they will class up my bookshelf a little. I couldn’t get into them from the beginning, and now every time I start to read either one of them, I slouch into slumberville. Literally, 10 minutes….15 minutes max and I am out! It isn’t the book, at least I don’t think so. I almost wonder if it isn’t Spirits was of saying I don’t need them.

I have had these experiences before, however never with a book, or at least that I have been conscious of. I have been in situations several times where I was talking to someone and I wasn’t able to speak. Literally I would be giving the same spiel that I had given over and over and my throat would practically close, my words would get tangled, and basically be rendered a mute. I would know then that I wasn’t the person that they needed, just the means to find the right one.

So I have all but forgone the books, and am instead taking life as my lesson plan. Learning how to live as one at all times, treat others as I would be treated, remind others of who they are when they seem to need it, and even if they don’t. For an average human who has been living in a constant state of funk for many months it has been difficult to make such a radical transition, even though I already know the lessons.

In the very least, I can take solace in knowing that the class experience has been very good. I love the final project, I have met some wonderful people I wouldn’t have otherwise met before, and am gaining a wonderful kinship with my prayer partner. Who knows…there may be hope for me yet!

Standing In Awe Of Greatness

Yes, dear readers, it is not often that I feel like I have been ‘there’ at the pinnacle moment, ‘that’ time when the corner had been turned, ‘THE’ beginning of it all. I think that time in the life of my daughter may have been last night.

In my life, I have been blessed with the birth of 2 children. Both daughters are sincerely gifted in many ways. They have literally had the option of choosing which talents they chose to hone. My eldest has decided to concentrate on singing, the younger is writing and is mastering the violin. Both of them determined and in love with their craft, improving through practice and committing to challenges.

Last night, my eldest daughter met and blasted through one such challenge, however I will take a step back and give you some background information first.

Many years ago while at church, I was introduced to a amazing musical icon of the St. Louis area named Kim Massie. She comes to our church to sing on Sundays every couple of months or so. The sound that comes from a human can not be bigger than the one from this woman. It vibrates, permeates, takes you on a trip and introduces you to your very soul! While that may be a bit over the top in description, I swear I am describing my experience every time I hear her perform. I have been in awe of her every performance. Off stage, she could not have a more loving and welcoming personality. You could feel the love coming from her. Let’s just say that I am a big fan!

Every year, about a month before Christmas, I gather kids at church and practice a medley of songs to perform as our contribution to the holiday season. In 2010, the attendance of children was a little lacking, as the families seemed to be doing a bit more traveling. Kim was singing on a weekend that we were scheduled to practice, however no other kids but my 2 were there.

“You’re off the hook, Kim! I was going to ask you to help me get the kids to project their voices. I can’t get them to sing above a whisper! But I don’t have any kids to rehearse with today.” I told her after service was over.

She went into a story of people asking her to help train voices, but stating that since she was self taught she was not qualified to train someone. However she did critique, assist, and give pointers, etc.

We discussed both of the girls and pointed out that Megan was my singer. So she did a mini session with her and taught her how to use her voice in different ways. By the end of the session she looks at me and says, “I would like to mentor her. I have been wanting to work with young women and guide them for a long time and I never started.” She gave me her email address and phone number. I have to say, I have never been more jealous and excited for my daughter in my life!

Really, I think it was by far a bigger deal to me than it was to her, just beacause of my own personal hero worship of Kim! She did learn shortly after, however, that her choir director at school was also a fan, then it became a bigger deal than just singing with the lady at church that she has known for several years.

The St. Louis Diva Kim Massie during a show at the St. Louis History Museum

We were invited by Kim to her home, where Megan sang a song for her that she plans to do during an inter-district competition with school. It is almost a classic operatic feel to it and she pulls it off beautifully, knowing when to let her voice and volume rise and fall. I smile every time I hear her do it. Kim agreed, telling me, “What do you want me to do!? She’s great!”

What she did offer to do was help her get into performing, which there isn’t much ability in this area outside of open mic’s and karaoke bars, which aren’t exactly appropriate. She has oportunities to play at various parks and concert halls around town and would be happy to invite her up for a few songs.

This was great! I was so excited for her, and her usual “whatever” attitude was picking up a bit as well.

Kim plays every Tuesday and Thursday evening at a blues bar downtown called Beale On Broadway, starting later than I am ever able to stay out due to the girls and work schedules. However, last week the girls were on spring break and I took off Friday to be with them and we decided to go see her show while there was an opportunity to do so.

We got there, our table up front had been reserved as she said it would. We hung out, the girls a little nervous, as it was their first appearance in a “bar”! Kim walked through the front door, immediately saw Megan and asked her if she wanted to sing! The childs eyes lit up like Christmas and was like, “YES!! OK!!” After about an hour and the crowd was warmed up for a while, she announced a budding singing sensation was in the audience and wanted to give her an opportunity to sing, perform, and all around hone her craft. She asked Meg what song she had picked out and she said, “I Love Rock N Roll by Joan Jett!”

The band had to scramble to get the song worked out, for it wasn’t anything they had in their regular song list. She got the microphone, wiated till she came in and started at it! She forgot most of the words beyond the 1st verse until the bridge, but when she did get it, she really cut loose! She let out a deep growl when she sang the word ‘love’ and played up the crowd like crazy! Kim afterward brought her up on the stage and taught her a song on the spot. She also took that opportunity to add some personality into it, all the while seeming relaxed and together.

I have sang on stage, my friend, and let me tell ya. I am shaking like a leaf! Hand’s, knee’s, leg’s, diaphram, face…I’m talking shaking! She could not have looked more comfortable. She claims that she was scared to death, but you would have never noticed it, ever. Everything else can be built up after that.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I have no plans at all in the slightest to go all Lindsay Lohan or Brittany Spears with her and push her onto a stage in front of 100,000 screaming people so I can go out and buy a new car. It has been my wish only to assist the girls in things that they are truly interested in. I never even followed up with Kim until Meg came to me and said “Mom, remember to call Kim today, please.” that I even bothered. I don’t care what she does with the background that she is given, maybe she will just go into teaching where she can use her communications skills that she would learn. Sounds good! Whatever I can give her at this time to bolster her confidence and sense of accomplishment, everything else is up to her.

Who knows, maybe she will be into theater or sand sculpture building in a couple of months. However it pans out, for now, in this present moment, I know what a star looks like. God has allowed me to to hug and kiss 2 of them every day!