So, today I was working away at school - specifically, reading through my list of emails for the most pressing messages to which to respond or on which to take action. I was feeling overwhelmed as I sat in the chair in my office - not the one at my desk, because the desk was way too messy to even think clearly (me, not the desk). Then, a beautiful angel came in named Ysa Yu. She's one of my students, a senior, and she's a precious beam of light. She came in to see if there was any way she could help - with anything. After we had her do some busy work, she kept asking, "Is there anything else I can do for you?" Part of me wanted so strongly to just be left alone to sift through all the work I had to do, as it seemed it was piling up on me, much like the piles of books and boxes in my office. But another part of me - the wiser part - accepted her offer of help and, though hesitantly and quite reluctantly at first, agreed to allow her to help me by putting away some things that had been sitting around for weeks (no, months) in that space. She shelved books and sorted through a box of binders I had been "meaning to get to" cleaning out for some time. And all along she was just so amazing. So gentle and so loving and so helpful. And I allowed myself to be treated gently and lovingly and helpfully by this very special student of life, who has so much more to teach me than I have her.
So, in honor of today's achievement of surrendering to the assistance, I dedicate this song to her, and to anyone else who ever feels that they have to (or would like to choose to) go at anything alone.
This is my May 2009 performance at the ProVoce Vocal Studios recital.
