As the Reading Goddesses (RGs – or – book club) gathered via Meet yesterday, hearts were heavy thinking about the mutual loss of our extraordinary friend, Alice Goode, this past week.  Each of us took a moment to share, laugh, and lament.

Two of us first met her as a neighbor to one of the RGs; another RG studied music at the college where Alice sang and taught for years.  All of us have a plethora of stories, jokes, connections, and absolutely delightful memories tied to Alice.  Gifted with an glorious singing voice, she radiated pure JOY through her contagious laughter, witty commentary, and vibrant personality.  A literal tour-de-force well into her 80s, she never met a stranger and everyone was her instant friend. I am grateful beyond words for the many years of celebrations, shopping excursions, singing parties, and more I shared with Alice Goode.

Yet, two powerful remembrances got me to pondering…

While consoling me after the death of my own mom, Alice offered her unique view of how this life ceases and the next one begins. She summed it up like this:  “Your brilliant, singing mom hasn’t taken her final bow in your heart or soul, it was just her place in the performance to exit stage left until the next show…she’s just leading a new soprano section now.”  🙂

One of the RGs relayed this powerful story about Alice (I’m paraphrasing): “Alice attended my piano recital and congratulated me afterwards in person. While pleased with my performance, I mentioned to her an item for improvement. Alice pulled out a piece of paper with a dot on it and asked me what I saw; I noted the dot. Alice asked, ‘Why don’t you see all the clear around the dot…all the good from your musical work?'” 

Whew!  What powerfully GOODE analogies for daily living!  Each of us has all this GOODE space within and around us if only we would tap into it.  Why must we focus on those dots first and never on all the clear and wonderful space?

So in this season of hope, peace, JOY, and love, here’s hoping we all find more ways to focus on the GOODE space in ourselves and in others.  And if I know Alice, she will continue finding ways from stage left to gently remind us. Be a blessing, friends, and be blessed…