She is a fictional character, but do remember her...
She has been blind since birth. As long as she can remember her mama told her, "Do not pity yourself. Not ever!" She taught her how to play piano and later guitar and saxophone. Her favorite music was gospel, blues, and jazz.
Her name is Essie. She works her magic at Raven's Jazz Piano Bar. When you hear her play you feel how she sees music. Essie plays like an Angel. The music takes over you to the point you feel what she feel.
Lately, her legs are giving way. She can no longer stand. So, she is wheeled in by caretakers. She remembers what her mama said and she don't want pity. Essie was mocked and scorned as a child, even as an adult. She's heard it all before. She's acquired thick gator-skin and don't pay attention to what the people say about her because when she play her music all humiliations fade away.
Gone are those days when that little girl was made fun of because everybody love Essie and her music. Raven's Jazz Piano Bar was torned down and made into a parking garage.
That was then, this is now. It's been ten years now since her death. People still flock to her gravesite day after day. Someone said they saw her the other day. But how can that be? Everybody knows she's in heaven playing that heavenly music.
Generations come and go, but her music still lives on. I was in the music store the other day when I heard someone ask, "Essie, who was Essie?" I could not resist, I said, "Pardon me, but let me tell you the story of this wonderful woman and her music."
Even Tho Essie may be a fictional character, there are many like her in real life. I remember Ray Charles, the songs he sang and the music he played so well. He is in Heaven now doing the grandest of all command performances. How many others are there too, playing their heavenly music? The next time you hear that ringing in your ears, listen closely. Thank you so much Pier, for this enlightening, and heartfelt piece. I actually had tears and smiles reading this.
May the Lord Jesus bless you, and those whom you love, and be with you always, and at your side constantly. With much love in my heart, joy to the world, peace on earth, & ((((((((((MANY WONDERFUL SISTERLY HUGGGGSSSS)))))))))), sister Barbie
Just as life during the pandemic was color-coded with different hues representing different levels of danger, life in its aftermath has become shaded in similar ways. As a self-styled “Seeker of Beauty with Beauty,” (borrowing from a quote by W.E.B.
