Tonight I Danced With You

Fiddlin' Johnny and Frog Holler String Band

When I came home from the concert tonight I wrote the following:

Tonight I Danced

Tonight I danced with you, though I never left my seat

We polkaed and waltzed across a clouded floor

We soared with the music

And then you faded

Back into my memories. 

Tonight I danced with you, though I never left my seat

I heard your laughter and your sweet embrace

You twirled me around

Just like you use to do

Back in my memories.

Tonight I danced with you, though I never left my seat

I wanted it to last all night

But I opened my eyes

And you were gone

Back in my memories.

+++++++++++++++++++++

    Tonight I went to a free concert at the Heritage Center, Fiddlin' Johnny and the Frog Holler String Band played. If you've never heard Fiddlin' Johnny then you really have missed hearing a fine musician.  There was the Fiddle pieces, there was Polkas, Waltzes, and Blues and Jazz.  A couple of the pieces the Frog Holler String Band had Johnny play on the spot, he never had played them before, and I never heard a missed note, but I guess that's what happens when you have your masters in music.

    Somewhere in the middle of the polka number, I closed my eyes, and in my mind's eye I was dancing with Todd.  Occasionally we danced, like around the kitchen when a good song came on the radio, or on those wedding dance occasions we sometimes kicked up our heels and did a polka or a waltz together.  Neither one of us were very good, but we'd laugh and dance anyway. But tonight it was only in my memories, but I still saw him there.  He would have loved the concert tonight, cause he loved fiddle music as much as me.  

    When I first started playing fiddle after I turned 40, Todd wanted me to play the Orange Blossom Special so bad.  I don't think he understood I was struggling to play Twinkle Twinkle, and the Orange Blossom Special is not exactly an easy piece to play.  My Violin instructor found me a beginners version of the song, and I worked like crazy to learn it, and did manage to master it enough to play it at recital.  Believe me, I've never gotten to the level of playing that's enjoyable to the listener, just ask my dog, he howls when I play (no joking).  

    Todd was so proud of me for learning the piece and I wanted to play it mostly for him. He loved it.  

   Tonight I just sat and listened.  Life has been just a little bit stressful for me lately, like I'm sure it is for lots of other people.  I feel pressures coming in from all sides, and it's suffocating at times, so tonight, I just took a break from all the pressures and just sat and listened to a fine fiddler, and let the music wash over me, and chase the stress away, if but for a moment.  

    Music has a way of doing that.  I thank God so much, that music lives on the inside of me, and I have a little talent in that area.  I know there's a whole lot of people better than me, and that's ok, but I just enjoy doing what I can do, and hope it blesses those who hear.

     But tonight I'm thankful to just to be able to listen to another who's a master at what he does. Even in a fiddle tune or a polka, God can minister to your heart and bring back some joy, where pain has resided.

  

Angels came to meet with Her

Back in 2011 Long time friends; R-L
Todd & Kelley Reuer, Tina Isaguire, Marilyn and Rich Apfel, Jun Isaguire, Ann Rowe

   Today, Thurs. March 5, one of the most precious woman of God I've ever known met her Savior face to face.  Marilyn Apfel is now safe in the arms of Jesus.

   On Sunday night (March 1) I was sitting at my piano worshipping the Lord.  I began to just play (I'm not all that good, but I love to play) and while I was just playing, I suddenly thought of Marilyn, and somehow I felt I was in her room where she was laying in Minnesota and I saw angels all around her and they were singing to my playing.  I didn't really 'hear' anything, but I just knew they were singing, and had been sent by God to her bedside, and to 'usher' her home when she was ready to go.  

  I don't think my piano playing was all that beautiful, but what I heard in my heart was the most beautiful music ever.  

  There's a scripture that says the Lord sings over us, and I've always wondered how that song goes, and what it sounds like.  What's the song over my life that the Lord sings?  I know the song over Marilyn was beautiful.  Her life was beautiful.

   In the last year before Todd went into a nursing home, he refused to sleep.  I would try everything to get him to bed.  It was a battle every night.  The one thing that worked better than anything else, was I promised him I'd read to him the book about Marilyn Apfel called "They called her Mom," (available on Amazon Kindle).  He loved hearing the story of her life.  I'd often say to him, "And we know her!  Isn't this amazing!"  He liked the story, and sometimes would fall asleep while I was reading (at least for a little while.)  I think I read the book to him aloud three times, just a few pages at a time.  Every time through I was amazed at how God worked in her life and Rich's life.  

   I think back to another time a few years ago, I was on the phone talking to Marilyn.  Todd had just lost his job, and was no longer able to work, my house was packed up ready to move, but I didn't know where to go or what to do.  Life was so confusing and hard.  That's when Marilyn called to encourage me.  She said words of encouragement to me that were probably the kindest words anyone has ever said to me.  She believed in me, when I didn't believe in myself.  

   Around that time we actually went to Minneapolis and met  Rich and Marilyn at a restaurant. Later in the car in the parking lot,  Marilyn spent quite a bit of time praying for us.  I know God is still answering those prayers.  I remember her praying for me, and saying "You're backed against a wall, but God is going to open a door for you.  Find the door and open it."

    So today my heart is somewhat sad to know she won't be around to talk to again, but I rejoice at the same time to be able to say that I have known such a wonderful woman as Marilyn Apfel. 

   She fought long and hard as cancer ravaged her body, but today there's no more pain or suffering.

   My heart goes out to Rich and the kids; Jamie and Lisa and grand kids.  May God give you great comfort as you begin to walk this road without Marilyn by your side.  He IS the God of all comfort and He WILL walk with you every step of the way.

    I'm thinking maybe Todd was there to greet Marilyn too. 

Marilyn and Rich Apfel