Heart swelling, and outtakes

I am simply amazed with people, once again.  Between Internet community and the people in my life I am just overcome with how much good there is in this world.  The past 24 hours has been a whirlwind of airline travel, airports (do other people call it “Scareport” or is that just me?), happenchance meetings, showing up as a surprise guest in a land far away, and, well, lots of good food and drink, I just cannot help but feel exceptionally blessed.  Which is such a difficult yet fortunate feeling to have right now, in a time when my heart is hurting so badly for situations that render most of us helpless, save for our generosity.

Just one example of that is my last post. As of that post —along with all those other wonderful bloggers— two days ago, thousands of dollars have been raised for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation in the name of Brandy and her guy.

Check it out: http://www.loveharder.org/

I know there are so, so many ways this world is weighing on our hearts right now, and so many people that need help, so thank you so much to anyone who was able to give, participate, or send up a prayer. I don’t know if you’re the praying type, but I am, and that has been a lot of what’s keeping me busy these days. It really and truly means a lot. Thank you, each and every one of you who took time out of their day to read those posts, watch that video.

A lot of times, we find ourselves too busy to be people that look for causes. That is common. I understand. But sometimes, you guys, causes find us, and I think there’s a reason for that. I really, really do.

My uncle Joe used to use a phrase all the time that I just hated. I didn’t understand it, it sounded weird. My naive, childish self didn’t like it.  “My heart swells,” he’d say, in reaction to something beautiful or amazing.  I didn’t make sense to me then, and while my uncle Joe is still pretty weird (hi, Uncle Joe!), it makes complete sense to me now.

And every time I go back and watch that video, I’m reminded of what the power of a few people that care can really do in this world. My heart swells.

I watch it and I think of how uncomfortable I am on camera, how my voice combined with my mannerisms ON CAMERA is in the Top Five Things I Do Not Like About Life, but nonetheless, it was so worth it.  And, as you might have noticed if you watched, I appeared with my three-year-old nephew, Ivan, so as to distract most viewers with an adorable kid. I think it worked, mostly.

This wasn’t without it’s bribery and multiple takes, however. Come on, he’s three. Singing a song he’s never heard before, with me, on camera, on cue…. well, let’s just say it wasn’t easy. It wasn’t easy for either of us, actually.

Here’s an outtake from the SEVERAL takes we had.  I call this:

I Don’t Sing No Friggin’ Love Songs

(Also, I apparently still have not learned how to take a cue.  Forgive how absolutely stupid I can look, and without even trying.)

Ivan and Me singing, 2 from Lesley G on Vimeo.

Oh, so dumb.  But still, my heart swells.