July 14th, 2019

My music usually comes first in a synth or sample, drum loop or chord progression.  Lyrics are usually the last to come.  Today, however, the lyrics came first.

On Thursday, July 11th 2019, I took my Mom, who is 83 to her cardiac Dr. appointment.  Her heart is fine just keeping a check because it was discovered she has A-Fib a little over a year ago when she had a knee replacement surgery.  While at the Dr, he asked her how she was doing.  My mom is caring for my father who is incapacitated as a result of Alzheimer's disease.  She responds with, "tired but for reasons other than my heart" (meaning being my dad's caregiver) . The doctor suggested she get some help but my Mom is very stubborn and feels it is her responsibility to take care of him.  The doctor shared with her a story of how there are people in the world who are born to serve and would love to help my Mom but by being too proud and not having some humility, she was denying people their gift to serve.  It was touching.  Afterwards, she had me take her to visit an assisted living home for my dad one day when she can no longer care for him.  That was a big step for her.  It has been both heart breaking and heart warming to witness the love and selflessness she has for him after 63 years of marriage.

These words come to me this morning.

Take the Hand by Lisa Reshkus aka Ella Miss July 14, 2019 

Intro:  Untuned piano 

Taken to the quiet  2-3-4 

cleared all the thoughts 2-3-4 

(Interlude with Hmm repeated 2x)

Mind numbed then reignited 

No more exhaust 

(Interlude with Hmm repeated 2x)

Chorus: 

What would you like me to do? 

What would you like? 

What would you like me to do? 

If I could do it for you? 

Take the hand 

No shame in humility 

Just take it 

I took it too 

Softened the hardened heart 2-3-4 

Brought mist to the burn 2-3-4 

(Interlude with Hmm 2x)

Unlatched the restraints 2-3-4 

For nothing in return. 2-3-4 

(Interlude with Hmm 2x)

Chorus: 

What would you like me to do? 

What would you like? 

What would you like me to do? 

If I could do it for you? 

Take the hand 

No shame in humility 

Just take it 

I took it too

Ella Miss - I spend most of my free time playing with sound.  "I Will Miss You" was created as I prepared to leave my family for two weeks to volunteer at a children's camp in Belarus.  I was inspired by the soundtrack to The Social Network and Trentemoller.

The combination of music and dance to express emotion is so powerful for me.  Every muscle in tune to each musical idea used to express human emotion.  Within the next couple of weeks, my first music video will be filmed.  It is choreographed by my son Caleb, who will dance with his friend Ari.  If you like this dance, you will enjoy it.  DM me or join my email list at ellamiss.com in the blog section.

As a teacher, I work with many children who live in poverty.  Sometimes I think life would be easier to just find a job in a district where children are from well-off families, schools had adequate facilities and supplies.  A place where education was valued by all.  Then, I am gently reminded, by a smiling face in the morning or by a former student who beat the odds, that I am right were I belong.

Poverty is in issue in my community, each summer I have served breakfast in the park to hungry children.  One day in the summer of 2017, it was quiet and no children came for breakfast that morning.  As I sat in the park, I felt a nudge,  I heard a still small voice telling me it was time to go beyond the park.  I only mentioned this tug to my son, Caleb.

Within the week, I got a phone call from my Pastor asking if I would consider international mission work.  At that moment, I knew that was the reason for my nudge in the park.  I answered yes.  

Each morning, I am pulled to my computer to create music, sometimes seemingly against my will.  Music production has also been an inner voice pushing me to create.  I have found the means through soundfly.com.  The mentors have helped me learn many aspects of music production over the past few years, allowing me to follow this lead as well.  

Both of these nudges in my life are blessing but they require so much time away.  It seem to feel as if they are at the expense of others at times.  It is difficult to balance the instinct to follow the nudges without compromising the ones who walk alongside me.

Artists put every flavor on your plate and humble serve it to you with their own hands.  They don't hold back any seasonings.  They generously sprinkle on their inner most emotions; love, anger, pain, determination, hope, joy, etc...  As you listen, they hope you will taste every flavor.

When I created "Pushing Through Roadblocks" I was filled with so many emotions: frustration, anger, determination, perseverance, disappointment, excitement, triumph.  They all suddenly spilled out of me and into the music.  There was a wonderful sense of relief when it was finally finished.   Have had a time when your emotions slipped out of you and into a work of art?
 

I hate listening to top forty.  I love listening to Indie artists!!  Share a link to a track and I will put it on my playlist.  Can't wait to listen to your music!

Spooky Playlist

We are all born amazingly unique.  Each one of us a masterpiece.  That is what makes us so incredibly awesome.  Embrace it.  We are wonderfully loved.  We are able to unconditionally love.

Personally, the more walls you place in front of me, the more determined I become.  Even my own grandparents were immigrants who were sponsored by a family in Wisconsin.  They were freed from the terror and violence in Germany at the time.  They were provided land to farm by a loving family who truly understood what it means to Love Your Neighbor.  There must be more we can do.  We could have families in the US sponsor families, free them from violence.  No one should have to live like this.

People who know me, close family and friends who are listening to my music and seeing my images for the first time, are probably a little confused.  In everyday life, I'm generally happy-go-lucky, positive, and light-hearted.  I'm known to have Friday night dance parties in my living room.  I like to think I have some moves. Kids at the school where I teach often ask why I'm always smiling.   Yet, sometimes when I sit down to produce music, I think about all of the people who aren't having Friday night dance parties.  They may not even be having a meal.  I feel empathy.  I haven't reached out as much as I am able.  I have been self-centered.  It is my goal to serve more.   Music will be the way I share and express my experiences.