The intake of breath, the blending of sound, the tuning and the harmonizing- are shared like fine wine and delicious food at a feast. There is something ancient about sharing songs. I was invited to lead the songs for a circle of women welcoming Annabelle Rae. She was a month and a day old - pink as cotton candy sleeping in her mother's sling, and a circle of women and girls had gathered to honor their womanhood and the newborn woman sleeping there among us. While I played my drum, I heard the sound of women's voices in honest unison - and then the tears began to flow.
Tears are often a part of singing.
Nowhere to hide. Nothing to hold back. We were in safe company, and it's only hard to sing and cry when we try to choke back the tears. Letting the music flow - we were centered and focused. Singing with wet eyes and open hearts.