The transformative power of song

            On Youtube yesterday, I heard Tara Westover sing “How Great Thou Art” to 20,000 people after she gave a commencement speech in 2019. She’s the author of the haunting memoir, Educated, that I wrote about a few days ago. Tara’s voice was a crucial tool that helped carry her out of isolation and towards escape from a destructive household. Her angelic voice was powerful enough to convince her dad to let her sing in public. He was transported – as was everyone who heard the recording at book group yesterday. The magic of song. Check this out: Westoversinging
            Humans have no monopoly on the transformative magic of song. Birdsong is March’s soundtrack. They’re out there every morning now, singing winter away with vitality, especially the cardinals. You can’t help but feel, immersed in their orchestral improvisations, stirrings of hope, life, growth, warmth, procreation. This guy got shy when I pulled out my camera, but his red brilliance shone in the morning sun, even when he was quiet.
 
My 60th year in 60,000 words
Day 190: 166 words, TOTAL = 31,096; 28,904 remaining