It was Harriet’s birthday today. She and her husband, Ben, live in Buena Vista, Baja and are very special people. She is the one whose name is on the Gospel CD, where I’m thanking people for different things. She is a dear friend, and for some reason I have found such encouragement from her over the past year and a half. She is a musician herself and studied piano when she was younger. I don’t have many people that I know can understand what I’m trying to do……as far as reading from the page and realizing the end expression, goes….She plays and organizes the music for the church services here in Los Barriles, and I don’t think that she is probably appreciated enough by everyone for the hours of preparation that it takes to make that all work smoothly. By inviting me to share my music with the congregation, Harriet is responsible for giving me a reason for writing many of my songs. She gave me a place to use my inspiration, and that has meant a great deal to me. I don’t think that I am moved to write, if not for the ears that I think will hear it, really. So, having that place to share caused a flood of passionate inspiration that poured out onto the pages, last year, like no other year, before!
Anyway, her party was on their roof-top, overlooking the Sea of Cortez …….the moon shining boldly while the little twinkle lights outlined the roof’s edge. There were about 30 people there, and they could have invited more. I’m honored to have been invited for a second year celebration. It is so obvious how much they are loved in this community. There was chatty laughter and crayons flying to draw birthday greetings on the table cloths. The pot luck dinner was missing NOTHING and every bite was a special morsel to pamper my taste buds.
I sang my new version of “Besame Mucho” for her, dedicated by her husband, Ben and she seemed to sincerely love it, even though I had to read part of the words in the pale light and didn’t do my fancy arrangement that I had hoped I would be brave enough to play. I meant to only play the one, but they begged for more and didn’t have to twist my arm very hard for it to spill out over them all. The air was cool and moist and moon was overhead and I played several other pieces that were received with excitement and applause……even after the guests had been drinking and could have been rude, continuing to talk or something. I would have understood. I honestly hesitated to even perform. Everyone was having such a nice time visiting and I didn’t want to demand their attention…………. But, they weren’t rude or distant. They were quiet and I had to focus on what I was doing and NOT on the fact that they were all glued to my fingers, as I played my new pieces that I most recently have written and not quite mastered, yet. They all cheered and loved what I played, which made me want to play more. But, I was wise and left them wanting more……..I THINK. :o)
Happy Birthday, Harriet, and I hope your year will be as wonderful and inspiring as YOU are.
This is an addition that I put in after I woke up, Tuesday morning. Ben and Harriet sent their blog and pics to me. I think you can click on this link and see the pictures. http://picasaweb.google.com/PurkeyBH/2009_05_May?authkey=Gv1sRgCI3DwOSf3v_GyAE&feat=embedwebsite#slideshow/5332190672860310466
NOW, I’m going to play a little music before going to bed. I hope that I dream of something wonderful to play for you on Friday at Otra Vez.
Good Night,
Mary