this joy that is welling up inside of me cannot be quenched, and I pray it can’t be. It started last night at the Symphony concert with Ralph Vaughan Williams “Fantasia” piece. I had never heard it before, and I was so moved I couldn’t stop crying. It wasn’t hormonal, nor was it seasonal - it was a straight up, I feel it all through my body kind of emotion I hadn’t felt so intensely before. I liked it. Then Midori stepped onto the stage, lifted her violin to her chin and I felt the synergy between her body and violin, her breath and the music, her movement and the music’s movement, and I think I stopped breathing for a while. I’m pretty sure I did, in fact, I know I did. I just couldn’t believe this feeling - I read that “Midori WAS the music,” and you might think it sounds trite, but it’s actually true! That concert transcended all earthly bounds for me, and my soul felt expanded. I cried through all of her Beethoven, without even really feeling any particular emotion, just the overwhelmed feeling of being in the presence of the Sacred. And I liked it. A lot.
Sweet friend Debbie whispered to me, “Have you heard of ‘Apocalyptica?’ They’re like a heavy metal band, but they play cellos. “Check out ‘Enter the Sandman.’). I trust Debbie. I floated home from the concert, and looked on YouTube. I cranked up the song and rocked out. I felt this energy moving through my body - I wanted to dance, to sing, to do SOMETHING but just sit. Can it get any better than this? The feeling of joy continued through the night and into this morning, where we had a brunch for Midori and we got to see everyone again. Maybe that’s part of it - getting to see old friends who also love the symphony. I post on Facebook and don’t hear a heck of a lot of response. But I want to say that I am so proud to be a part of such an important organization. It is vital, and thriving, and the energy that exudes from the Symphony as a whole is inspirational, to say the least. It makes me want to go practice my cello, so I think I will. Those extended upper second positions don’t learn themselves, you know! The feeling continues - on and on and on. I can see a long, long way, and I really really like the view from here. Do you see what I see? I sure hope so. It will take your breath away, too.