Day 8: Lift Me Up to the Light of Change
The song I want sung at my memorial service, and you guessed it, it's about hope!
Today is my final book launch event for “Living Into the Truth: A Daughter’s Journey of Discovery.” This one is open to all but focused on the LGBTQ+ community and allies and will be held at Diversity Richmond, the same place where Wendy and I held our (illegal) wedding reception in 2010. I’m really looking forward to it. I’ll share how it went in tomorrow’s newsletter.
In the meantime, today’s post will be a little shorter than usual because, as I’m writing this, I still have to get dressed and packed for my event, and I want to be able to relax after it’s over. So, thank you for understanding. Hope is like that: illusive at times but always present somewhere in the recesses of our souls.
Wendy reminded me yesterday of a song that she suggested I write about. I want this song sung at my memorial service, whenever that might come, right after someone says a few kind words about my life. It’s the closest I’ve found to articulating my life’s philosophy, and, of course, it’s from my favorite singer/songwriter, Holly Near.
Although written in the 1990s, eerily, it has resonance today. I invite you to listen to it and reflect on what it means for you.
Today’s Reflection
What do you think Holly means when she sings:
May the children see more clearly
May the elders be more wise
May the winds of change caress us
Even though it burns our eyes
What holds your confusion, your fears, your wonder and your tears?
With hope in my heart,
Annette
I recall Holly Near from years ago, but have not listened recently.... until this. The line that struck me is 'To be hopeless would seem so strange; it dishonors those who go before us.' So many people have been through much worse than we can imagine. We can do this... whatever we may be called to do.