My car radio is fixed on National Public Radio 90.3, and I always listen while driving around town. I lose that connection though, driving the twisting route out of town. The foothills of the Chuckanut Mountains block the signal. That’s when the music comes on.
Yesterday’s CD choice was Godspell, the raucous, wonderful 1971 rock opera based on the Gospel of Matthew. It is one of many musicals I can sing my way through, and sing I did: “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord,” “Save the People,” “Day by Day,” and on through all fifteen numbers.
My thoughts wandered back to my years living outside of Los Angeles, to the exhilaration of musical theater. I remembered relishing Godspell, Jesus Christ Superstar, and the more worldly Hair and Tommy. I smiled as I recalled the Superstar evening at the Hollywood Bowl. At intermission, the man sitting behind me said to his date, “He dies in the end. I know, I read the book.” I swear he was serious, not joking at all. There was the evening when we saw Godspell for a second time at a small theater-in-the-round. Four nuns, in full head-to-toe habits, sat in the front row. Watching their obvious joy, and their cool senses of humor, added to the show. I recalled my enjoyment of Hair, despite my buttoned-down embarrassment at the nude scenes.
After a bit, the music pulled me from reminiscing to the lyrics. “Day by Day” started speaking to me. The three prayers of the song: to “see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, follow thee more nearly,” caught me up with new meaning. I kept repeating the verbs: see, love, follow. See, love, follow.
The three prayers—translated a bit loosely—fit my current state of mind. Approaching 80, I’m becoming more and more reflective. I enjoy wandering through memories, of course. More than that, though, I find myself fixed on the present. What have I learned? How do I understand the mix that makes up me? What might be true in ways I’ve never considered before? And, most exciting to me, what difference does all that make as I consider my tomorrows? We recently commemorated Ash Wednesday. As my pastor placed the ashes on my forehead, she said, “Know that you are deeply loved. You are forgiven. You are freed to follow your call.” Yes! I still have a call. It’s quieter, more elusive—and yet invigorating.
I’ve been working with my friend Lisa Dailey, owner of Silent Sidekick, a web design service. She created this site, tutored me through what I need to do to put my ideas on the page, and talked through the process of adding photographs to illustrate my blogs.
This is the debut of Exploration: Studying the Past, Seeing the Present, Creating the Future. Thank you for reading my introduction. Hope you’ll keep checking in to see where my mind has wandered.
I will look forward to your explorations. Studying the past, seeing the present, creating the future begs for a rational, literary voice like yours.
Thank you for your good words. I’m looking forward to this journey together.
Beautifully written- I look forward to each new post!
Thanks for reading and, especially, for the support.
Oh how l needed this today…Thank you Amory for this your love and spiritual direction it is something that. l cherish l look forward,to many more posts…God Bless you and guide you as you share your life , thoughts and your posts.. A rational literary voice such as yours..as Linda commented is definitely needed . thank you.
So glad the words were right for your day! Thanks for reading.
Yay for you and for taking on this new venture. Aren’t we amazing as we near 80?!?
We are, indeed! Thanks for reading, you amazing writer,you.
It was delightful to be drawn back into both Godspell and Superstar. I have many fond memories of productions of both of these, and Godspell in particular helped to shape my own faith journey. Blessings to you and yours!
Do you have the songs running through your head now? Glad I triggered those memories. Thanks for reading.
Very good. Most insightful. You are bringing alive the vision of the Prophets. What was + What is = What will be. I look forward to future submissions reflecting your journey. Any idea regarding how often you will be doing this?
Thanks for your positive words. I hope to post every two weeks.
This is wonderful, dear friend. Yes, you are certainly called! One is never too old, too young, to anything, to be called to God’s purposes!
Thank you, Peter. For reading and, especially, for the beautiful words.
Very well done, Amory (and Lisa)! Cherie’s and my mutual love of musical theater brought us together and has continued to delight and inspire us through the years. (Her background on the actual stage has played no small part … so to speak.) Today, I can’t get “One Day More” from Les Miz off the spooling reel in my head! Thanks again for this.
Love that I brought up all the happy musical theater memories! Thanks for reading.
Welcome to the blogsphere! Your mind wanders to interesting places.
Thanks for the welcome — think I’m going to like it here.
Right, Laura. And I get to be onsite for some of the wanderings she shares.
Thank you for your presence. Always including new and wise commentary.
Thanks for reading, Susan, and for your support
I love this, Amory! A joy to read! Sign me up!
Jo
There is a place on the website to sign up — hope you do! Thanks for reading.
Brava Amory! Day by Day was one of my favorite songs. Can’t wait for more blogs and wisdom.
Is Day by Day running stuck in your head now? Thanks for reading!
See, love, follow–good verbs for this moment.
So many things have new meaning during this moment! Thanks for reading.
Wow, so much to think about… Thank you for helping me to take my mind off the pandemic. Your words are a gift. I look forward to seeing more of your blogs. Keep well and stay safe.
Glad I could be a distraction! Thanks for reading.
Nicely done, Amory. Design. Introduction. Initial blogpost. All of it. I’m eager to hear more of your thoughtful wandering.
Thank you for reading, neighbor, and for offering up your support!
Does this mean I am going to have to change my beliefs and actions again?😀. You are making a new person out of me. You keep prodding me in my move “to perfection.” I look forward to your future observations. Stay well my dear friend.
Richard, no. But, I am inviting you to think/ponder along with me. Thanks for reading — thanks for being in touch.
A human becoming, where reflecting is no longer a reminiscence of past events, but mirror like–in the moment. What a wonderful gift! And, you are regifting it. Thank you Amory.
Thank you for reading, thank you for commenting.
Lynn, you use words so beautifully. It moves me that the words I used touched you.