Last weekend, crowds at the Newport Folk Festival were surprised by a guest Brandi Carlile brought on stage: Joni Mitchell.
In 2015, Mitchell had a brain aneurysm rupture leading to a long period of rehabilitation. Friends said she had to learn to walk all over again. On stage in Newport, she sat in an easy chair, surrounded by fellow folk musicians, and she sang in public for the first time since her aneurysm.
I wasn’t at the festival, but I’ve watched the YouTube video of her singing Both Sides Now over and over again. (https://youtu.be/jxiluPSmAF8)
“So many things I would have done,
but clouds got in my way.”
For the last month, it’s struck me the number of people I’ve encountered who’ve decided not to let clouds get in the way of doing the things they love. When Joni sang on stage at Newport, her voice cracked at times and Brandi helped her with lyrics at times. But her joy was palpable and watching her less-than-perfect performance brings me special joy.
Don’t let clouds get in your way. Sing even if your voice cracks. Play the instrument you’re not as good at any more. Paint even though your hand shakes. Hike, walk, run, swim, row, even though you don’t have the distance you used to. Do the things you love anyway.
“So many things I would have done,
But clouds got in my way.”
Today I’m giving thanks for the musicians, artists, and athletes who keep on doing the things they love. There’s humility there. There’s grace there. There’s joy there.
In Christ,
Pastor Jen