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in spirit

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MWtheprayer

Sunday was All Soul's Day.  I have had a hard time going to church recently as I can't keep my composure.  The hymns bring me to tears.  I went on Sunday – to recognize the soul I lost this year.  I was looking for some words of wisdom as I assumed the surmon would address loss and/or heaven.  Instead, we had a guest speaker and he did not deliver.  I was disappointed.  Then we sang On Eagles Wings and I lost it.  Had to leave.  I came home and worked in my sister journal, playing music that made me cry again, but brought me comfort at the same time.  Music has that power doesn't it?  It can make us sad, but in a good way.  Therapy.  I watched THIS video at least a dozen times by Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion.  When you desire to be moved in spirit it doesn't have to be in church.  You can find it when you need it – music helps me.  Art helps me too.  I go into a quiet place of mind and just work. 

A friend shared this phrase below, thanks Susie.

MWbeinginspired

  

Comments

22 responses to “in spirit”

  1. Marble Blue Avatar
    Marble Blue

    Hi Michelle,
    You know how powerful music can be – you are a rock chick. Let the tears flow if you need to.
    I “get it” with regards to the song The Prayer. You will probably get lots of Aussies giving you this link.
    Anthony Callea was on Australian Idol and released the song after the competition and it became the biggest selling single of all time in Australia. Love his version. Have heard it a million times and still get chills EVERY TIME.
    Thought you might like to check it out.
    http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=6TwBZOttjlM
    Love – MB

    Reply
  2. Paula Bogdan Avatar
    Paula Bogdan

    Thank you, Michelle. “On Eagle’s Wings” was played at my mom’s funeral 4 years ago, and I still cry in church when I hear it. The pain simply comes back with a bang and my sixth graders have gotten used to it when it’s a school Mass. This video was lovely, and yes, moved me to tears again. But, that’s not such a bad thing, I think.

    Reply
  3. tina Avatar
    tina

    Michelle,
    I have that song and most of all of Andrea Bocelli’s music on my ipod but I have never really heard the words. Thank you so much for actually pointing them out….Keep going to Church even though it is occasionally disappointing. There really is comfort within its walls. She is with you.

    Reply
  4. Regina, St. Maarten (DWI) Avatar
    Regina, St. Maarten (DWI)

    Hi Michelle,
    Your words are so true!! I listen to my playlist everyday and depending of my mood set the repeat for certain songs, make art, sometimes cry and mostly feel very happy! Thinking of you,
    Regina

    Reply
  5. Regina Avatar
    Regina

    Michelle,
    this art is a beautiful expression & I think you will be helping others who come here & see it.
    We have songs that are like touchstones for us. Sometimes the emotion will be raw and the tears flow. But in time, when the grief is not so raw, those songs are more of a bittersweet reminder of our loved one. There may still be tears, but the pain is less sharp.
    For me, the hardest part of this music connection is being caught off guard while shopping. Suddenly THE SONG comes thru the store’s sound system, and I am taken away to memories I’d prefer to have in private. But I get through it, most likely with a few tear tracks down my face. Where is that darn tissue when I need it?
    May God’s grace and comfort be with you each day thru this coming holiday season.
    xo

    Reply
  6. Bre Avatar
    Bre

    I love to check out your blog mostly because I always think – one day when I have time I’m going to participate in one of your crusades.
    But each time I read your post I am continually inpsired in an other direction.
    When I read the lines of your post today – the music and words brought immediate peace.
    I know that song so well and II also love singing on Eagle’s Wings in church. Josh Grobin sings this beautifully and his song “To Where You Are” also comforts me and brings me to tears at the same time.
    I hope you are able to find continued peace and solace through your journey of grief -wherever you need to find it or wherever you need to be to feel closed to your loved one.
    blessings and prayers,
    Bre
    http://chantillygrace.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  7. Chris Avatar
    Chris

    That video is just rapturous to me.
    Good to feel your loss and gratitude. I am not a church-going person after many many years of attendance, and I am not a religious person. But that does not preclude being spiritual, and acknowledging the power of spirit and yielding to spirit. The power of Spirit to comfort and renew is inestimable. Being open and yielding to it can bring immeasurable rewards. I find it difficult to be humble or centered, allowing as I do all sorts of influences and distractions to take me from one passion to another, but your post reminds me of the blessings of humility and gratitude. Thank you for giving to us through your sister’s memory. She lives on in you.

    Reply
  8. Nerissa Avatar
    Nerissa

    Hi Michelle
    I always feel so moved after reading your posts. Your artwork is also so inspiring. Thank you for sharing yourself, again, with us.
    Take care 🙂
    Nerissa

    Reply
  9. Deryn Mentock Avatar
    Deryn Mentock

    Hey Michelle, Sometimes it’s not what worship brings to us but what we bring to worship. I’m sorry your sad…

    Reply
  10. inge Bekaert Avatar
    inge Bekaert

    Dear Michelle,
    tears heal… it means you’re still touched…
    When my sister died (the day my daughter was born) I hardly cried the first year . Afterworths I asked myself if I didn’t care enough about my sister, but that totally wasn’t true !
    The second year I cried almost every day, not whole day long, but I was moved to tears daily without having a depression or so.
    That first year I HAD to survive to give my daughter enough joy and warmth to give her a good emotional start. After that first year, I probably allowed myself to mourn.
    Especially the death of my sister has made me a very emotional person. It means that words, music, something that happens can move me to tears very easy although I still am a strong person.
    that’s what I learned through the years, Christ’l died 15 years ago, is that I can be a strong person, a person who loves to “give ” and to “share”, who tries to bring comfort if I can,…. but although I really AM a happy person. I enjoy life day to day, trying to enjoy the smallest thing in a day even the rest wasn’t worth talking about… there is a small place in my heart that still hurts.
    I know it’s there and I can live with it. I also think I helps me to try to be a “good human”…
    I can almost feel your pain now and I wish I could just be there and wrap my arms around you.
    But I can listen, even from far away, just like the others here above.
    Sorrow that is shared is more bearable…
    hugs
    Inge

    Reply
  11. plo Avatar
    plo

    Oh girl. I can’t hear Eagle’s Wings without crying either, it was one of the songs we chose for my Grammy’s funeral. Let it out, a good cry helps. Grieve in your own time.

    Reply
  12. &rew Avatar
    &rew

    I lost my younger brother thirty years ago this month. It does take a while and I do find solace in creative work.

    Reply
  13. meganp Avatar
    meganp

    Michelle – I love the honesty you share in your posts, and I know from the comments it so often strikes a common chord with those that read your blog. I believe we all have different times and ways of grieving, and so many different ways of finding comfort – usually in the most unexpected ways. You have been seemingly so strong with such a huge loss. I am so glad your creativity, and music were able to provide you with the comfort you needed at that moment. Thankyou for the wisdom and words you share. Mx

    Reply
  14. Martina@marchenstudios Avatar
    Martina@marchenstudios

    dear Michelle,I choose Andrea Bottcelli’s Time to say goodbye for my Moms memorial service, even though I knew it would tear me apart every time I heard it….and yet,when I hear it now,sadness grips me, but also gratefulness for every Moment I got to spend with her. Music and Art has that power, that ability to cut down through the surface and touch us in the deepest parts,and I believe in a creator who gave us these gifts to help us figure out this fleeting life.
    just because there is a time to say goodbye dosen’t mean there isn’t a time to say hello again…

    Reply
  15. Linda Warlyn Avatar
    Linda Warlyn

    Michelle, I hope you have gentler days ahead, but in the meantime, may your art and music continue to help bring you comfort and soothe your heart. Your artwork with the cross is beautiful. xoxo

    Reply
  16. kim mailhot Avatar
    kim mailhot

    Squishy hugs, as the beautiful one says 🙂

    Reply
  17. Carrie Avatar
    Carrie

    I know what you mean about the emotional power of music. When I was having some problems with depression a year ago, I had to stop listening to HIM. Every year when my dad and his classmates sing their alma mater after the Army/Navy football game, it brings tears to my eyes and I don’t even know why. You’re wise to let the music do its thing. Eventually it’ll bring healing.
    *hugs*

    Reply
  18. NancyK Avatar
    NancyK

    Dear Michelle
    It’s still so soon and memories still bring so much pain because you feel the loss of your beloved sister so keenly. Time will allow your memories to bring you joy. I pray you will find your comfort in the loving arms of the Savior, the same arms that are holding your dear sister.

    Reply
  19. Judy S. Avatar
    Judy S.

    Thanks, Michelle, for the beautiful artwork to go with one of my favorite songs. Our choir director and his wife sing it occasionally….we’ver heard them in Europe, after 9/11, and at funerals…the words are so right. And “On Eagle Wings” is another favorite. Music (and art) are such wonderful ways of expression when words just aren’t enough; both reach deeply into the emotions. Blessings to you and your family. Time will heal, but you will never forget. Thank goodness for memories. Big Hugs.

    Reply
  20. marie danti Avatar
    marie danti

    I chose The Prayer for my Dad’s rosary….floods of needed tears….thank you! You are doing good work & touching so many through your sister’s memory! Grief touches everyone at the same core of loss and love.
    Marie

    Reply
  21. sue pieper Avatar
    sue pieper

    Michelle, I’ve had a hard time walking into a church (and seldom do unless it’s for a wedding or something) since my sister died, too. Too many questions unanswered on the unfairness of life. Not wanting to spark a religious debate here, I’ll leave it at that. But do know that I think of you often & wonder how you’re doing. I’d call but I’m not sure if either one of us have enough tissues for that one! Take your time in healing, don’t push it, there’s no time frame, right now you just need to get through the day. Hope to see you in October!

    Reply
  22. Sue McG Avatar
    Sue McG

    Oh yes, music does have that power, that’s why it’s part of spiritual services. I’m known for damp eyes during music at mass at the best of times, in harder times there’s no way you can hold back those tears, and really, you need to let them flow. That’s the gift of music. I’m glad you went home and worked on your journal, that’s a GREAT way to honor your sister and yourself.

    Reply

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