Emotions - that kept popping in my mind this week, one of those seeds of an idea that I knew I would have to write about it. Now, I do have to give credit to two other people who inspired this. One is Elvis. Yes, I am talking about THAT Elvis. Laughs! And the other is a writer/pastor named Jim in Northwest Ohio.
If I have time and opportunity, I put on a varied playlist of music. If I have time for only a song or two, it many times is my favorite Elvis song, "Can't Help Falling in Love." It makes my day for some reason! (My second favorite Elvis song? All other Elvis songs- laughs!)
I first remember listening to Elvis as a child of about 7. At the time, my mother and I lived with my grandparents in a very small town where my grandfather was a self-employed barber, and my mother and grandmother would sometimes work in the small tavern. Elvis records, 45's to be exact, were on the jukebox. (Boy, am I telling my age).
Now, I have a computer playlist which includes some videos- which is always a treat when it is Elvis! Watching those videos at different times of his life show a myriad of emotions. Always an entertainer, even Elvis could not hide the raw emotions when he and his beloved Priscilla separated and divorced. Other times, the happiness and joy overflow.
His gospel performances are heartfelt and soul-stirring- did you know that he won his only three Grammys in that category? One of the songs was "Crying in the Chapel". Oddly enough, that song was on that tavern jukebox. It had a great effect on me because of the true emotion, although at my tender age I did not realize the spiritual impact. I think one of the reasons people connected to Elvis was his emotional side. He was real and open to others- and I believe searching for people who would love him for the person he was and not the “idea” of Elvis.
As a newspaper writer, emotions are not supposed to enter into the mix. But, how can one not be affected by seeing a group of people come into town with the robes of the KKK? Or, reporting controversial meetings which emotionally divide a community in half? At the same time, readers need to know the news, and so it was. Those challenging reporting times made the feature stories and op-ed pieces even more enjoyable!
My friend Jim and I wrote on the same daily newspaper for a time. Jim is not only a talented writer; he is a pastor with a very tender heart. He can write a news story that rivals any other. And, he can bring one to tears and laughter with a feature story or column, or even a personal note. I know from experience! He recently wrote two columns that really touched my heart. One was a tribute to his aunt, who recently died, and the other a tribute to mothers. Actually, there was a third writing, his response to my thank you for sharing his Mother's Day column. Events touch that pastor's heart, and it brings forth the beautiful fruit of a tremendous writer.
I feel so privileged and blessed to be an artist - a writer- and humbled to know the power and responsibility of the pen. Writing a novel can be an emotional release as well as a creator of emotions that make the writing even more powerful. It is my hope that my writings may in some way make a difference in those who read it, just as these two artists have made a difference in my life.
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