For years I had admired her from afar. I replayed her concerts in my mind for days after her performances, and her talent, brilliance and passion captivated me. Now Abbie (my 4.5 lb. toy poodle) and I were on our way to have lunch in her home.
It was not a surprise to find music-related memorabilia everywhere—from a simple bar of soap covered with purple and blue music notes to a library and CD collection that could rival the Smithsonian’s.
Eight hours is a long time, but it flew by like the snap of your fingers. Her world is compelling. Talk about history, psychology, blogging, and music … she dusted fallow crevices in my mind.
She’s preparing a concert series for Russian friends, she shared. My mind drew a blank, and I said, “Russian composers?” “Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Mussorgsky, Rimsky-Korsakov …, “ she shot back.
She has written, directed and produced History Alive Through MUSIC, 
showcasing seven young up and coming actors from ages 10 – 17. She walked me through the behind-the-scenes 15-hour Saturdays and Sundays working with the kids and searching for that perfect example of drawing forth the emotions as though you were actually experiencing:
- The Gettysburg Battlefield
- A slave who didn’t even own a pair of shoes
- An immigrant at Ellis Island being “processed” after a grueling transport in a ship’s steerage class
She sees kids (along with adults) losing rich history that our forefathers left for us, and it is her burning desire to educate and impassion today’s younger generation with a rich understanding of America’s grand history. To that end, she is now launching into social media to open this world to others.
Sharing a meal with a creative genius is a meal all by itself. There have been few times in my life when I’ve met someone who I could have stayed up all night talking with and never skipped a beat. This was one of those occasions.
Not only was this a lunch I shall never forget, where I sat at the feet of a creative genius, it was also a lesson for me to dive deeper into MY passion, squeeze the juice out of every second, and laugh, eat well, and let my pet give me slobbery, wet kisses—and very often, too. That kind of grounds you!
Who has inspired you to reach beyond yourself? When have you left an event ready to set the world on fire with your passion? Who would you choose to spend an eight-hour lunch with? Stories, please! I’d LOVE to hear your stories.
Living Life With Passion,
April 20th, 2010 at 4:28 pm
Wow, Darlene! What an awesome experience you had! I applaud you for taking time from your busy life to just bask in the experience.
She sounds as wonderful as you are. I wish I could go with you sometime to one of her concerts. Maybe some day . . .
Another great post, my friend. Thanks for sharing.
Debbie Stevens´s last blog ..Lynn Allen, The Dream Name
April 21st, 2010 at 5:49 pm
Hey Darlene,
Thanks for sharing this great experience with us.
It stirs me up inside and makes me think of the opportunities I have experienced like this.
The one that comes to mind is when after more than twenty years I came to meet my birth mom. When we first met face to face we stayed up for three days straight talking and sharing with each other followed by about three months of phone calls every night for at least four hours each.
Thanks for allowing me to experience that memory again.
Make it a great day!
God Bless,
-ed
April 22nd, 2010 at 5:35 am
Darlene, what a great experience that you shared. It felt as if I was there sharing it with you. Thanks so much.
Have an awesome day!
Lori
Lori Robertson´s last blog ..How To Find Happiness Within Yourself
April 22nd, 2010 at 7:30 am
Hi Darlene,
What a great experience you and Abbie had. To share with someone who is so alive, giving and inspiring can affect you for such a long time.
She is correct about us losing connection with our history and her efforts are much appreciated.
Thank you for sharing and inspiring all of us!
Dave and Dawn´s last blog ..Get In The Game!
April 22nd, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Darlene~
I love to hear your stories! I can relate with the passion you have at the feet of a master! Like you, I love to hear stories! Music isn’t a passion of mine, none-the-less I love to listen!
One of my greatest passions is genealogy. My most recent favorite story happened April 19, 2008. It was a fun genealogy experience. I have my tree posted on RootsWeb.com and I occasionally get emails from people who find a mutual relative on my tree. Last month, a man wrote to me about Joseph Custer, a distant relative of his, and mine. He said that the death date I have is incorrect. He said that he has copies of letters that Joseph wrote to his wife, Nancy during the civil war. He offered to make copies of the letters if I wanted them, and it felt like Christmas when I got them. When I read the letters, it was awesome! Joseph wrote many beautiful things. He started every letter with “I am still numbered among the living”. There are about 5 letters between April and Sept 1864. I typed them out (they are very difficult to read) and I left all the spelling and punctuation as it was in the letters. on April 30, 1864 he wrote, ”
My Dear Wife Nancy you need have no fears for my good conduct while I am absent for I would a thousand time rather perish On the field of battle then to return to you in disgrace. I have left all some bad habits I believe I have not swore & oath since I left Ohio Nor drank a draw of ligure & if ever I see home & loved ones I hope to be a better man at heart I have Sworn to you and my country to do my Duty. I feel confident that you will do your duty as a mother But I must close for the present keep up good spirits & we must trust in god for the future Hoping soon to meet again
Write soon as get this I am well give my respect to all my friends
Your ever-time husband till death, Joseph Custer
Joseph died 23 Sep 1864
Goodness! I started doing genealogy in high school and I haven’t stopped all through the years – until I started network marketing!
Linda G. Cox´s last blog ..The Power of Now – how it began for me
April 22nd, 2010 at 2:10 pm
I love to hear your stories! I can relate with the passion you have at the feet of a master! Like you, I love to hear stories! Music isn’t a passion of mine, none-the-less I love to listen!
One of my greatest passions is genealogy. My most recent favorite story happened April 19, 2008. It was a fun genealogy experience.
I have my tree posted on RootsWeb.com and I occasionally get emails from people who find a mutual relative on my tree. Back in 2008, a man wrote to me about Joseph Custer, a distant relative of his, and mine. He said that the death date I have is incorrect. He said that he has copies of letters that Joseph wrote to his wife Nancy, during the civil war. He offered to make copies of the letters if I wanted them.
It felt like Christmas when I got them. It was awesome (and difficult) reading the letters. Joseph wrote many beautiful things. He started every letter with “I am still numbered among the living”. There are about 5 letters between April and Sept 1864. I typed them out and I left all the spelling and punctuation as it was in the letters.
on April 30, 1864 he wrote, ”My Dear Wife Nancy you need have no fears for my good conduct while I am absent for I would a thousand time rather perish On the field of battle then to return to you in disgrace. I have left all some bad habits I believe I have not swore & oath since I left Ohio Nor drank a draw of ligure & if ever I see home & loved ones I hope to be a better man at heart I have Sworn to you and my country to do my Duty. I feel confident that you will do your duty as a mother But I must close for the present keep up good spirits & we must trust in god for the future Hoping soon to meet again
Write soon as get this I am well give my respect to all my friends
Your ever-time husband till death, Joseph Custer
That letter was written April 30, 1864
Joseph died 23 Sep 1864
Goodness! I started doing genealogy in high school and I haven’t stopped all through the years – until I started network marketing!
The kids used to tease me about spending all my time with my dead ancestors. Now my time is spent with my friends in cyberspace!
Linda G. Cox´s last blog ..The Power of Now – how it began for me
April 22nd, 2010 at 7:26 pm
Darlene, you have a way of drawing me into your story. It’s almost as if I was a hidden mouse in the room, taking in the atmosphere of your incredible and memorable lunch encounter. When Darlene relates an experience that has to do with music, I’m all ears. I’d love to have an 8 hour lunch with Fred Astaire and Michael Jackson, one of his greatest fans. Maybe in another world. For now, my best girlfriend since 7th grade would be my perfect 8 hour lunch date since we see each other rarely, living on different continents. She is the sister I never had.
April 23rd, 2010 at 8:50 am
I love this quote…”it was also a lesson for me to dive deeper into MY passion, squeeze the juice out of every second, and laugh, eat well, and let my pet give me slobbery, wet kisses—and very often, too. That kind of grounds you!”
It takes a great deal of energy to truly live life. But…it is not life-sapping…it is a regenerative type of energy. By putting out that type of energy…you get so much more in return.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful day with us. You are not the only one inspired by it…however, we could not have been inspired by your day without you sharing it with us. I do appreciate that!
April 23rd, 2010 at 11:09 am
This reminded to start reading more of our history. We are in rich in tradition, culture and people who gave their lives to afford us what we have today.
Bill Cowan´s last blog ..Self Help Books to Get You There
April 23rd, 2010 at 4:10 pm
Very inspiring Darlene – how fantastic to be sharing the room with someone that you admire you so much. I have so many inspirations in my life. My Mum is the first person that comes to mind. She continues to look a ways to improve herself as a person, always busting through another barrier in life. It makes me proud to be her son
Great post Darlene!
Matt Jones´s last blog ..Do Yo Have A Birds Eye View Of Your Life?
April 26th, 2010 at 4:33 pm
Hi Darlene,
Your writing drew me in from the title going forward. I was captivated the whole way through and was dying to know who this spectacular person was that you spent a whole day with! I suppose her name doesn’t matter because in the grand scheme of things, it is her spirit that inspires. How wonderful for you to get this chance, and to leave feeling reignited in your own passion! I find that my passion for teaching and writing and connecting with others can be ignited when I attend intellectual events where smart people talk to an audience about some fascinating topic. My most recent experience with this was in Seattle a couple of weeks ago at a Social Media conference. The people I met were so friendly and kind…and intelligent! I sure loved being in a room full of folks who are excited about learning.
Mary Lou
Mary Lou Kayser´s last blog ..How Are You Really Doing in Your Primary Network Marketing Opportunity?
April 28th, 2010 at 5:35 pm
Hi Darlene,
Wow! Very attractive title and a wonderful experience. Thank you for sharing it. I find it very valuable because it stirred inspiration in me and this attracts more inspiration. Made me think of times that I felt on the top of the world. The very process of recalling is both pleasant and powerful because it attracts more experiences of the same vibration.
´s last blog ..The Law Of Laws (part 5) 
I am very grateful for the experience! Thank you for your wisdom.
Infinite love and gratitude to you,
Venus
Venus
April 28th, 2010 at 5:36 pm
Hi Darlene,
Wow! Sounds like a fantastic life experience you had . I am sitting trying to think of just one person I would like to have an 8 hour visit with and I can’t narrow to just one person…there are so many inspirational and influential people in my life. Fortunately, I have had opportunity to meet and become friends with some of them…this is the best!!!
Thanks for sharing your experience with us.
Krista
Krista Abbott´s last blog ..GoDaddy: WordPress Incompatibility with Windows Platform
April 30th, 2010 at 10:39 am
Darlene you have a truly wonderful way with words. Your easy style of story telling allows us all to just sit quietly and watch the scene unfold before our eyes.
I tried to think of someone I would like to have a lunch with and like Krista said above, it’s hard to narrow it down to one. Though I would give anything to talk to my mom again, if only for a minute.
Thanks so much for this wonderful invitation into your world.
~Angel
Angel Taylor´s last blog ..How Not To Spam Your Facebook Friends
May 1st, 2010 at 9:09 am
Hello my Dear Friend,
So wonderful to be on your site and reading your captivating stories, again. My favorite part is the wet kisses.
I am always inspired by the openness of your heart. You allow rich and fruitful experiences to pour straight into you and you soak them up with such passion. Not everyone is this willing to take in the beautiful experiences around them.
Glad to be your friend!
Mentor Mama
Nancy Burke Barr´s last blog ..INTERNET MARKETING: A Lesson Learned From Herding Goats
May 6th, 2010 at 9:13 am
I have felt this way after reading some books from people who have passed away and it is kind of frustrating that I can’t have an 8 hour lunch with some of these people. Other times, I have spent a few hours up late with some other gen y entrepreneur’s, spending countless hours up until 4 or 5 am when I had classes at 8 or 9am the next day.
I can’t wait until I get to go to more seminars around the world and meet more inspiring people who challenge me to be better, do more and help more people. I know that I will be meeting a lot more people and learning a ton of new information and I only hope that I have the opportunity to pick their brains and identify what makes these people tick.
Great post!
Chris Hughes´s last blog ..By: Chris Hughes