Going all back through my dementia caregiving experience with Emma, my mother, who passed on three years ago, seemed an unnecessary journey. I hesitated, therefore, to take up the A-Z Blogging Challenge this year and write on that dementia caregiving theme again.
And then I thought, oh well, maybe I’ll draw some attention to the two books I have published on the subject and earn enough in royalties to buy an occasional lunch.
Yet … it may not be what you think it is.
When I lived in Los Angeles, we used to play this game called “Guess what was on this corner last week,” for every week, or nearly that often, buildings and businesses came and went; the population increased by the thousands monthly and the dusty pueblo I had moved to in 1967 got a music center and other cultural venues, new highrise buildings, extended airport runways, and it changed and evolved. All the while, the city was in the process of what it was becoming next.
Didn’t I know by this stage in my life, therefore, that this would be the experience I would undergo writing these A-Zs? Probably I entertained that awareness somewhere in the dusty outskirts of my mind. I am the constant in the change. The music comes from within the process, the playing of the notes of the unfinished symphony, as Sara Snider (Sara C. Snider) pointed out on Susan Scott’s Garden of Eden Blog.
In this A-Z process, I have made new acquaintances, read some terrific writing, gained new thought insights and — yes — developed a new self discipline and dedication towards my writing. I feel enriched and bolstered by the kind support of other writers I have met along the way.
So I leave you today with another Alexandra Streliski performance, which seems to match the sentiment. Start this video at about 2:15 so you avoid all the French-language chatter, unless you speak French, then you may find it interesting, and stay until you see the snow scenes outside the window. (And, is the singer’s name really Alex Nevsky, as in Alexander Nevsky, and what’s he doing singing in Montreal? No wonder he calls himself Alex: Alexander Nevsky, Prince of Novgorod, 13 May 1221 – 14 November 1263. Wikipedia.)
This video builds, beginning in one tone of feeling and ending in another.
This minimalist music that Alexandra Streliski and others of her genre compose is defined as “melancholy and light,” and it seems to resonate with the process, the playing of the notes inside the warm café, the comings and goings in the snow, the lifetime departures. Are we standing on the platform waving our loved one goodbye or are we greeting a warm new turn in a constant relationship?
Samantha Mozart
For some reason the images no longer show here, but when you click on the question mark, it links to my books on Amazon.
Thanks for visiting my blog yesterday, Samantha – Hilary is a huge supporter of all the bloggers she follows 🙂 Lovely song.
Annalisa, writing A-Z vignettes, at Wake Up, Eat, Write, Sleep
My pleasure, Annalisa. I want to return and read more. Glad you liked the song. Thanks for coming by. 🙂
What can I say outside of the fact that the music was a great joy to hear and your article a highlight to read. I have had the privilege of visiting Paris, and some other towns in the province. I looked at the video and it made me think of the cafeteria where I had lunch when I was in Paris. I speak some French, so I looked at the entire video. It has made me desire to visit France again sometime in the future.
Thank you for sharing this. I enjoyed it tremendously. Music is the only universal language that can stir any heart. It binds and heals wounds.
Shalom,
Patricia
I would love to visit Paris, Patricia. People say it is the perfect city for writers, as it matches the writer’s daily rhythm of routine — getting up, going out for coffee, coming home and writing, going out to a café for lunch, writing all afternoon into the evening, and then going out for a late dinner. Suits me. 🙂 So, when I visit you in Italy, we can stop over in France…. (Wish I understood more French.)
For me, music is it — the universal language of understanding — that, as you say, stirs hearts and binds and heals wounds.
Shalom,
Samantha
Samantha,
You will find the same thing in Italy. The Italians and the French are famous for their morning coffee, but most Italians drink an espresso. But yes we will visit France too. The people are quite unique. I love the European flair.
Shalom
The song is gorgeous, and I immediately saw what they mean by ‘melancholy and light’ , it fits the music just right.
I think of the song as a greeting, it’s quite hopeful and positive in its own way. A goodbye is often a hello to something else anyway, I know I’ve certainly found that when I said goodbye to everyone I knew and moved across the world to Hong Kong. Goodbyes are never really goodbyes, not with those people who really matter, but there is always a hello after a goodbye.
You’re right, Celine. Goodbyes are never really goodbyes to those who really matter.
I suppose you could understand the French introduction to the song? I get the gist, but would like to know what she actually said.
Thanks for coming by.
Hi Sam, I hadn’t forgotten about this, just took a little while to come back to it with all that was going on!
In the intro, she explains that she finds it hard to write about her family and where she is from — it’s too close to her so she can’t find words that she’s happy with. She asked a friend – Richard someone (I didn’t catch the surname) to write the lyrics, telling him what she wanted in the song, and he came back a week later with perfect lyrics. They only changed a word or two.
And then she mentions the guest musicians, saying they have a great sensibility, they write melodies that make you dream, so she was really excited to see what would happen from the collaboration. As it turns out they clicked really well and all really enjoyed the process.
So there you have it! It’s such a beautiful song, I’m listening to it again as I write this 🙂
Oh, Celine, thank you so much for translating. I missed a lot by not understanding the French. I would love to learn French and Italian, and maybe I should seriously pursue that. Back in high school and college (in a past lifetime, it seems) I spoke fluent Spanish, but a few years ago I thought my Mexican coworker, who spoke no English, said he ate his horse for lunch, so that language needs brushing up.
As for the music, I really like Alexandra Streliski’s compositions and have her only album, “Pianoscope.” I thought she was French, but it turns out she’s French Canadian, although she has spent time in Paris.
Thank you so much for this. A treasure.
Although I speak about six French words, the video was understandable (is that a proper word in this case, lol?). Your post, of course, is so wonderful. The video was icing on the delicious cake. I look forward to you next book and simply know it will be excellent. Thank you for the warmth, passion, love and healing you have provided your audience. You are special beyond word Dear Turquoise Roo.
Wow, what a compliment. Thank you, Marsha.
And my next book — thanks for the encouragement and inspiration. That will be my next project, as soon as I get my computer back (instead of working on this Notebook), and have access to my files.
You are a reader, and I love your insight, always illuminating for me.
Lovely post Samantha, written in your beautiful style. The computer’s playing up a bit, so I’m not going to chance the playing of the video. Actually now it is playing. How lovely and light. I’ll listen through, what a beautiful woman she is … and though I don’t understand a word, the yearning and lightness comes through. And he so handsome.
So, we come to an end, always a new beginning … and I love Sara Snider’s comment and as she said about playing the notes. Yes, we’ve made new friends, found our way to others’ terrific writing, new insights into other worlds … and the song has come to an end …
He is so handsome, Susan, but my personal opinion is that he needs a shave — a little too shaggy for my tastes. But, anyway, I like Alexandra Streliski’s music and enjoyed the ambience of the café and the snow outside.
You say it all in your second paragraph — the song is coming to an end, but there will be new songs and new notes to look forward to playing. 🙂
I feel truly honored to have been mentioned on your blog, Samantha. You and Susan both write with poignancy and beauty that speaks of deep truths, that I honestly feel honored just to read your writing. So thank you.
The A to Z Challenge, for all its difficulties in having to blog almost every day, is wonderful for all the reasons you have mentioned. I think this year (my second year participating) has been truly wondrous in regards to all the amazing people I’ve met, you included. I’m glad you decided to participate, and I’m glad you found the experience to be a good one.
And yet another beautiful song by Alexandra Streliski. I found this one rather hopeful in its tune, so I will imagine it as a possible goodbye, but also a warm greeting. Because that’s often the way of it in life–one thing ends, but another begins.
I couldn’t have said it better, Sara. I guess this is why Susan and I have remained friends these three years — we’re both deep thinkers.
Glad you liked the music, too. I am really glad to have met you and hope this is the beginning of a new friendship. Glad you decided to take up the Challenge. I look forward to reading more of your wonderful and charming writing.
Thanks!
Ahhhh, at last I can sit and enjoy a cup of Joe with my friend Samantha. A visit would be lovely after all of these years. I love the music. So soothing. I’m glad the Challenge has been a good experience. I enjoy meeting new friends too. I literally met one of the bloggers on Saturday as she lives in Port Townsend. Your cruise blogger lives not far from me too. See… you need to look at HUD here too. You would love Port Townsend!
I may as well stay here as live in Port Townsend, Gwynn. I want to be with people who love me, where I’m needed and around friends. Thanks.
Nevertheless, I loved the ambience of this Montreal café with the warm coffee, music and camaraderie inside contrasted with the human activity in the snowstorm outside.
Yes, and we need a visit. Glad you liked the music, too.