Boogsey Music

December 22, 2010, I was traveling north down the boulevard by my house during the rain and I stopped at a light.  I looked to my left and noticed the sun was peeking through.  I thought, “How lovely.  Could this mean the rain is over for awhile?”  But then the traffic light changed and so did my perception.  In front of me was the most spectacular phenomenon—a double rainbow.  I was enthralled.  I took a couple of photos and even some video.  (I wanted to share my video with you, but for the life of me, couldn’t figure out how to get it out of my Blackberry Bold onto this post).  I always wondered what causes a rainbow.  In the times I’ve seen one, this might be the first time I’ve ever asked.

“CNN broadcast of Paul Vasquez, also known as ‘Hungry Bear,’
spent an hour videotaping, and marveling at, a beautiful double rainbow at Yosemite National Park. Some 3½ minutes of his ‘rainbowing’ were caught on tape, and it’s Vasquez’s reaction to the rainbows —not the
rainbows themselves —that’s drawing viewers.” –CNN TECH

December 22^nd was the anniversary of my parents’ wedding.  That date always meant a lot to me.  My father passed away years ago and every year, three days before Christmas, I spend a bit of time thinking about my mother and how she must be feeling on that day.  I was doing just that when I saw the double rainbow.  I saw it as a sign that everything from now on was going to be all right . . . my mom, me, my father.

Where do rainbows come from?
Rainbows are created when light is refracted by raindrops reflecting the light back to our eyes.  Each color is refracted at a different angle, which allows for the separation of the colors.  The sun is always directly behind you when you look in the direction of a rainbow.  The double (supernumerary) rainbow is seen when the sun rays follow slightly different paths through the same raindrops.  Here’s an interesting fact, two people can never see the same rainbow because the raindrops are always moving and the light is different depending on each person’s time and place.

I think the other day I finally understood the attraction to covering the song, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”  Harold Arlen (February 15, 1905 – April 23, 1986) was an American composer of popular music, having written over 500 songs, a number of which have become known the world over. In addition to composing the songs for THE WIZARD OF OZ, including “Over the Rainbow,” written in 1938.  “Over the Rainbow” was voted the twentieth century’s No. 1 song by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).  Famous recording artists found this particular tune irresistible.  It all started with Judy Garland.  Some of my favorite recordings are from Celine Dion, Kamakawiwo’ole (with a ukulele), and an amazing live performance by Martina McBride.  I have been asked to perform this song countless times at funerals, including my uncle Samuel’s funeral who passed away four years ago, and my best friend Susan’s funeral—she died too young (on December 26^th) three years ago.  There’s something magical about this song.  There’s a sense of hope, but there is a sadness . . . the lyrics indicate a dream somewhat unfulfilled, while still offering that gleam of Hope or Esperance.  It is a belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one’s life.  In the religious context, hope is not considered a physical emotion but more of a spiritual grace, distinct from positive thinking to reverse pessimism.

As a little girl, several times I watched THE WIZARD OF OZ (that’s where the song was created) and I really did relate to Dorothy.  I felt for her and her genuine desire to go home.  The beautiful backdrop of Oz was enchanting on the outside, but inside Oz held unimaginable atrocities:  The Wicked Witch of the West, those scary monkeys; and Oz at night was very different than Oz during the day—it was so creepy.  But what was probably the most revealing is how the wizard was supposed to make it all better for Dorothy and her lovable traveling companions (the scarecrow, the cowardly lion, and the tin man).  The citizens of Oz believed in him, and even the revered wizard himself couldn’t really help Dorothy.  After all, he was just a man who flew into Oz by accident on a hot air balloon.  Dorothy put all her trust in the wizard, which proved to be a huge mistake.  Help came from the most unlikely source, Glenda the Good Witch.  Isn’t that sometimes the case?  The answer being right in front of us the whole time.  THE WIZARD OF OZ made me appreciate what was really important—my home and the people I grew to love, just like it did for Dorothy.

Being able to witness a double rainbow makes me realize how lucky I am.  It is a miracle and a rare moment to see one rainbow at all, but to see two rainbows simultaneously?  How many times in my lifetime will that happen?  Especially in LA.   I have to keep in mind that just when it seems things are mundane and uninspiring, all it took was seeing the splendor of that double rainbow to remind me that there will always be something unexpectedly aesthetic and wonderful in all of God’s creations.  It reminded me to stop looking at the world so literally and to bask in its visceral beauty.

Follow this link to hear me singing and playing the flute on “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” at my uncle’s funeral.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high,
There’s a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue,
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.

Someday I’ll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far
Behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That’s where you’ll find me.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly.
Birds fly over the rainbow.
Why then, oh why can’t I?

If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow

Why, oh why can’t I?