Use Your Talents

I heard the news today that Linda Ronstadt has Parkinson's and can no longer sing......I sat on the couch and cried.  During the 70's, I must have played her records hundreds of times......I knew every song. I saw her perform live and she was amazing.  She inspired me, each time I heard her sing  I felt every emotion she was singing about. I think her voice was the voice of my generation, strong and fearless.

The news probably hit me  harder than most.......with COPD and MAC there have been times in the past few years I could not sing.......there were times I thought I might never sing again.......that was the most scared I have ever been.  Singing brings me the most intense joy I have ever experienced.......when I sing, it feels like I have been given wings and I can fly......I soar through the heavens.  I have said it many times, there are many with better voices than mine, that doesn't matter to me......what does matter, writing and singing songs, even by myself in the car.

I have thought a lot about those who have lost their talents today.....who have struggled with illness that has stolen a part of their souls.  People who have lost their hearing, their sight, their ability to move, or speak and sing.  It must be hell, that loss of your ability to express yourself, to use your talent.  Thinking back during the times that I was so ill I couldn't get enough breathe to sing, or teach......it was difficult to find the good, to find the reason to hold on......but I kept thinking, I will get better.  What do you do when there is no better?

So tonight, use your talents........none of us may be as famous or well known as some.......it doesn't matter..... use your talents, for your personal joy, to share with those around you.   Use your talents, the day may come, when you no longer can.
By the way, my all time favorite Linda Ronstadt song.......Long Long Time.