Over the Rainbow... There was a sadness that had come over the office that day. My manager, Nancy, lost her good friend Debbie to colon cancer. Several days later, Nancy asked me to sing for her service. I was not sure what I'd do, since Nancy told me Debbie was not the religious type. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow!" I said, half sure and half not sure at all. I know what I heard and I was sticking to it! "What?" Nancy said. "Over the Rainbow?? What's that?" "That is the song Debbie wants me to sing!!" I said with excitement. "Ok...." said Nancy, with a non committal shrug. Did I get that message right? I get messages ALL the time. One might argue with me where those messages are coming from. Holy Spirit? Dead People? My imagination? No bother. Wherever they come from, I have come to depend on their regularity as well as the accuracy. Later on that evening, it was date night with Dan. I was excited. My good friend, Inez, was playing our Summer Town Series with her band, Time Machine. They were incredible. (I was especially excited since I had just been hired to sing in a Cher Tribute band as a back up singer and took a keen interest in the moves of Time Machine's back up singers.) The concert was amazing, song after song, one better than the other. Then it was time for one of Inez's solos. She walked out on stage and the very first thing I noticed were her red heels. Then came the music....a familiar tune....one that I had heard since I was a little girl.... Somewhere Over the Rainbow!! As tears of affirmation ran down my face, I knew it meant only one thing. Debbie wanted me to sing Somewhere Over The Rainbow!! So, with all that confirmation in place, I created a service just for Debbie based on the fact that she wanted me to sing that song. I called it the Over the Rainbow Service. It included balloons in the color of the rainbow, poems and of course the beloved song. (It turns out that Debbie LOVED old movies, especially old movies with Judy Garland in it.) The day of the service came. It was a little breezy and sunny with some clouds. One of Debbie's co-workers, who was in charge of the balloons, accidentally let one of the balloons go...an orange one, that was quickly accompanied by a butterfly the same exact color as the balloon....hmmmm.... Soon after, the service began with the poems, then the readings, followed by the song, concluding with the release of the balloons. As I ended the song, I lifted my arm to signal the release and, as my eyes followed the balloons up to sky, what was shining down on us all? A RAINBOW! A real RAINBOW!! It was surreal. There was no rain! Nothing...but there was the rainbow...a beautiful sign of Debbie, loving us all. I quickly pulled out my phone to take a picture and we got even MORE confirmation of her presence. Take one look at the enhanced picture and you can easily see...Debbie, the rainbow, the balloons, what looks like and angel and yet another woman, unnamed. (I am guessing it is her mother) What a beautiful gift of confirmation that Debbie had indeed crossed over, safely into the loving arms of the angels, her mom and Jesus. What an amazing. event. One I will never forget. Light, love and truly yours, Alicia
1 Comment
Pam
7/31/2018 03:20:57 am
Alicia you are very gifted in the services you provide. I got chills reading this and know that Nancy is very happy you brought her over the rainbow.
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AuthorHi! My name is Alicia Bozza and I thank you for taking the time to visit my website. I am a vocalist, passionate about sharing the gift that God has given to me. I began my profession in the church, but I have expanded my business beyond to all aspects of vocal abilities. Every Sunday, you will find me singing at a Mass or two, but my repertoire includes Weddings, Funerals, Burial Ceremonies (at cemeteries and funeral homes), Pet Memorials, Background Vocalist, Voice Over work, and more. Categories |