Last week, I corresponded with a lovely woman in Denmark who found my blog on the Internet. She sent me this remarkable photo of a butterfly that landed on her windowsill. I will share some of our emails later in this post.
This post title is a line of lyrics from my song “Somewhere I Can’t See.” The wisdom in my song begins with the very first line of:
Everything that I have gone through led me to this place
I like to believe that what makes me a touching songwriter is my ability to use my life experiences – good and bad – as an ingredient for my songs. The inspired place where I want to be is one that was reached because of all the challenges I’ve gone through in my life.
I recently finished a new vocal for “Somewhere I Can’t See.” It has beautiful harmony and the lyrics profoundly speak to me about my life. Here is a link to hear and read more about this song:
Story behind SOMEWHERE I CAN’T SEE
“Somewhere I Can’t See” has two interchangeable lines on the chorus that cause me to cry. They are:
I hold on – to love that’s in my memory
I hold on – to the love that heals me
I named this post “I Hold On” because it refers to several things. I am holding on to hope of finding relief for the physical discomfort caused by my dry eye condition. It has been almost two years since my eye problems began in 2012.
And to help myself feel better, I hold on to memories of how I once felt adored in my life – cherished by my parents and even by my former husband. Even though it was my choice to divorce after a long marriage, I am still experiencing a lot of grief.
I’m going to be illustrating 4 packages of ice cream sandwiches for Tillamook. Inside that box, were several ice-cream sandwiches made especially for me (they were shipped with dry ice). I was amazed how they didn’t melt sitting at my door for several hours until I got home.
Last week, it was very uplifting when I received a new illustration assignment. It looks like I’ve held on to my art career after all!
But what really helped me was a wonderful exchange with a lovely artist/guitarist from Denmark named Sandra. Her words were a beautiful sign to remind me how inspiring my journey truly is.
I now want to share excerpts of our correspondence below: (Her words are in blue)
Hi Judy,
I cannot stop looking at your artwork. Have you ever been to Europe and Scandinavia (Denmark)? You are welcome to come and visit me! I do not know you, but I feel like I know you through your art.
Hi Sandra, I’ve never been to Europe. Your generous offer touches me deeply. You don’t even know me! I will look forward to meeting you someday. I’m glad you love art. I feel that way about music. :)
Dear Judy,
Yes, you are very welcome to come and visit me in Denmark, and I would like to show you this beautiful country.
I moved here about 1 year ago, because I wanted to live in nature and away from the big city. In Soro, it’s absolutely beautiful with a wonderful lake, forest and beautiful culture. AND YOU ARE WELCOME!
Have a good day, Sandra
Hi Sandra,
I love hearing about where you live. I haven’t really travelled much. I often imagine going to Europe – it fascinates me. Of course, if I visited you our language differences might be frustrating! But music and art are a universal language.
It’s interesting that you see my art as who I am, whereas I feel much more defined by my music. My music tells stories about my life and my singing voice is my fullest expression. To me, my art is something that represents the “ideal,” without any emotion in it. But I’m touched that my art moves you.
I don’t think I’ll be traveling to Europe soon, but I’ll save your email and keep it in mind for the future someday. Thanks for writing.
Judy
Dear Judy,
Thank you for your letter, which made me really happy. I’m glad to hear that you use your music to express your feelings, because it is the meaning of music for me.
You might think there is not much emotion in your art, but I can tell you that when I saw your artwork I was immediately in a magic place. I found myself suddenly in the middle of a fairytale. Therefore, can I allow myself to say that I know you through your art?
I am otherwise very critical and it’s not easy to impress me, but when I am touched and someone makes a difference to me, I want to let them know.
My door will always be open to you and have a nice weekend!
Sincerely, Sandra
I appreciate how you’ve opened the door for me. And I even have a song named “The Door!”
Best of luck, Judy
Dear Judy,
I listened to your song “Beside Me Always.” I heard the song again and again and I cry and cry and feel the Universe in your heart; your pain is huge.
I am so sorry about what happened to your son, Jason, because he left you so early. It is a great tragedy when parents have to bury their own children – I do not think that any pain can be greater. I’M SO SORRY, BECAUSE OF YOUR SON!
Many people might say: “It was 22 years ago and time heals all sorrow,” but I know that you feel it as if it happened yesterday. Why? Because I know the pain in your heart hurts and it NEVER goes completely away!
I understand that you express your feelings through the music – YOU DO IT VERY WELL, BECAUSE YOU MADE MY CRY. I COULD FEEL YOUR LOVE TO YOUR SON IN YOUR SONG – I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT YOUR SON IS PROUD OF YOU!
I’d like to send you a little package with some stuff from Denmark, so you get a taste Scandinavia. Sincerely, Sandra
I just savored your message, Sandra. When I get a message like yours, it is such fuel for my journey and where I want to go with my message and music.
Of course, I remember the anguish of losing my beloved child – that will never go away. But the pain has eased and I really believe in sharing my hope of healing. When I sing, I release all of my pain. To connect my music to another person far across the globe is such a wonderful thing to treasure.
So I thank you!!! As far as tasting your food – I couldn’t refuse that. But I also hope you’ll allow me to share a CD of my music with you, too! Have a wonderful day.
Judy
Dear Judy,
Thank you so much for your courtesy and your kindness!
My English is so bad, because I’ve never read it in school! I learned only Russian throughout all school years (because I come from a communist country). Therefore, I am so glad that you can understand when I write something, because I know that I express myself miserably in English. Thank you for understanding!
Thank you so much because you want to share your CD with me, it is a great honor for me, and I look forward to it, thank you! I walked around my apartment and then I found myself singing your songs!
J U D Y! You are amazing!
My door will always be open to you! And I am also pleased to hear the song if it is on CD.
When I said I would send some things to you so that you can “taste” them, I did not think pizza, but more some real Danish things like: Danish beer, Danish amber, Danish design, Danish porcelain, Danish glass, HC Andersen books, etc.
Sandra
Sandra, your English seems to be working fine to me. Don’t put yourself down. It’s amazing how you have expressed yourself so beautifully in ways that go beyond language. :)
It’s sweet of you to mail me something from your country. It will really entice me to visit you. I would suggest you only mail light things; nothing heavy is necessary. And since I don’t drink any alcohol, there’s no need to send beer. (I don’t like the taste – that’s why!)
Good luck with all that you do, Sandra. Stay well and thank you for giving me a big smile. I love imagining you singing my songs. I can share chords with you if you’d like, since I know you also play guitar.
Judy
Dear Judy,
While I sat here and wrote an email to you today, a giant butterfly flew in through the window. I hurried to take a picture with my IPhone. See how nice it is!
I believe it is a message from the sky to you and me – I saw a butterfly like it on your Youtube video, as I was listening to your music. It was such a fantastic experience.
Sandra
Wow! Sandra, that is so strange. I was just working on an image of a butterfly to add to my blog. It’s not the exact same one – but it’s incredibly coincidental.
Judy, Oh … my … God! It’s incredible! Is it really possible that this is happening? WOW!
I am quite touched, because when the butterfly flew into my room, I could feel “something special in the air” – something divine, and I got up from the E-mail I was going to write to you and took a picture. It was a very special experience … and then you write that you were going to paint a butterfly, which looked very much like the one that came to visit me :)
I am sending a picture of the butterfly! Please, look only at the butterfly and not at my unwashed windows :)))
I am very happy now! Thank you, dear Judy. People say in Denmark: “There is more between heaven and earth than you think!”
THANK YOU FOR A BEAUTIFUL DAY, JUDY!
Love, Sandra
Hi Sandra,
Yesterday was a special day in many ways. First of all, your messages touched me deeply.
Then in the afternoon I received a very large art assignment that took me by surprise. I thought my career as an illustrator was over because I didn’t have much work for years. But now that I’ve gotten divorced and could really use the income, I’ve been blessed with a wonderful client named Tillamook. They always are wonderful to work with. I’m going to be illustrating ice cream sandwiches for them.
I hope you’re having a nice day. Thank you again for all of those beautiful butterfly pictures.
Take care,
Judy
Dear Judy,
Thank you for your letter, which makes me happy. I am so glad to hear that you’ve got some work. I know it is not easy when you are divorced. I have been divorced since 2004 and know how hard it is to pay all the costs alone.
What a good sign you got with the butterfly – it was quite unique, wasn’t it? I’ve never seen a bigger and more beautiful butterfly in my life! And it flew into my room while I wrote to you – it is so obvious that it was for you! I am so grateful to heaven, to give us signs all the time. Thank you, Lord! And thank you, Judy, for you’ve made my life richer and you’ve made me happy with your art and music.
I like to listen to your songs when you sing and play all alone, without any other music. That way I am not distracted by other tones; I concentrate only on your guitar and your voice. Every time I hear you sing, I cry … when I listened to your song with other instruments, I had goose bumps, but I did not cry because I could not get into the depth of your heart. I was distracted by the other music!
I love your seashell song, it is so beautiful … I feel like going to the beach so I can put my feet in the sand, listen to the sea and sing your songs while I look at the sun going down … my fantasy! I look forward to hearing from you again.
All the best, Sandra
© 2014 Judy Unger and http://www.myjourneysinsight.com. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Judy Unger with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
