RoG Vol 4: Healing through Music

Published on December 20, 2009 by Ron Kelsey

The holiday seasons are one of the most difficult times for deployed soldiers and their families.  This week, as I listened to the song Before the Tree Comes Down, I recalled how hard it was to spend time away from my family during Christmas. This song by Christa Wells was written for the military to help bring about healing during such times. As Soldiers received donated copies of her CD this week in Germany, they were encouraged through their time of loss and separation.

This process of healing through music was also experienced at the Reflections of Generosity opening at Fort Drum on 19 August 09. Christa Wells, Christy Tennant, and Kyla Kelsey performed music to an audience of soldiers, artists, and their families. Christa Wells dedicated one of her songs to the 10th Mountain DIV of Fort Drum, which has the history of being one of the most deployed divisions in the United States. As she played On the Mountain, the following words captivated the audience:

    I’ve been climbing my whole life
    and I’m only at the bottom of the mountain,
    at the bottom of the mountain
    Rising up from my feet in the daylight
    rising up into the clouds and out of my sight
    is the height of that mountain

    Well my hands cannot reach it and my mind can’t comprehend it
    but my soul is gonna get there one day
    No, my hands cannot reach it and my mind can’t comprehend it
    but my soul is gonna get there one day...

The emotional turmoil of these ongoing sacrifices during the holidays are experienced by us all. Christy Tennant paid tribute to a soldier that influenced her life when she sang “Song for a Soldier I Met on a Plane” at Fort Drum:

    I saw a man dressed in desert brown
    His name on his chest and a baby in his arms
    His bride was crying as she kissed him goodbye
    I prayed for them as as I boarded my flight

    Turned out that we were seated side by side
    Tried to make small talk as the plane took flight
    I wanted to tell him how grateful I was
    For the work that he was doing on behalf of all of us

    And, "I am praying for you, And I am pulling for you
    As I remember every word you said
    And I am cheering for you, And I am hoping for you
    To finish strong, my friend...

As my family endures the challenges of ongoing deployments, we use art and song to facilitate healing within our home. After I returned from Iraq, Kyla wrote the song "Love, Life," to describe the emotional challenges of being separated from me and raising three kids on her own:

    Entering into the dark unknowing, throwing
    All that we have to the dark
    With our love lights glowing.

    Love Life, how can we last for so
    Long, Love, many have passed before
    We, Have, so much to give to this world.

    Everyone knows who we are 'cause you're going
    All of us trying so hard to be strong.

    Love Life, how can we last for so
    Long, Love, many have passed before
    We, Have, so much to give to this world.

    Watching the look in his eyes, it's breaking
    Giving him their hugs goodbye is so hard...

Hearing these songs I cherish the traveling art exhibit Reflections of Generosity. The creators represent the same wave of influence that brings about harmony toward restoration and peace. Our combined thoughts and efforts form a landscape of art with the capacity to make history.  The stanzas of art represent the uniform music that is formed after all the artisans have played their part. Surrounding each artist is the audience of the world. Through harmony, change is orchestrated that will reverberate toward unity of purpose for all of mankind.

Yours, toward restoration and peace,

Ron Kelsey, Germany
Nonprofit Artist, Military Liaison for the Arts
ron.v.kelsey (at) us.army.mil