11/18/22
Seed
and shoot,
Leaves and roots,
Flower and fruits,
and Seeds
This poem came from this morning’s audio devotional from an online community I’ve been listening to called The Seedbed, led by J.D. Walt. I’ve really been enjoying it…check it out. That one phrase, to me, encapsulates that ‘full circle’ promise of surrender and hope. It’s one of the beautiful things I love about the Delta…the tangible manifestation of that primary lesson in the yearly planting and cultivating and harvesting of the crops. The Mystery of the Farm. And we’re all farmers…planting seeds…right?
Many of you know that I grew up outside the small town of Fayette, Mississippi (pop. 1600 ish). My daddy worked in politics and state government and would be involved with conventions and events that often had a ‘celebrity’ on the program…usually a star from the world of stage, screen, or television. When my musical dreams were starting to form in my teens, I sometimes had the chance to meet some of these ‘stars,’ and I remember the excitement of many of those moments.
Most of them were kind and thoughtful and didn’t seem to mind taking a moment to speak to a young fan…and that wasn’t lost on me. Having spent the majority of my professional career in the music ‘biz,’ I came to learn that interacting with one’s fans may be the singular most important part of the job of an artist or performer. One of my favorite quotes, attributed to the great poet Maya Angelou, is: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
So many teachers, townsfolk, pastors, friends, and of course, Mama and Daddy, made me ‘feel’ like I could do anything…they ‘planted seeds’ in me that gave me the needed encouragement to be brave in taking creative risks as I grew up and became an adult. Even now, as I am stepping into the role of ‘elder,’ the good folks and dear hearts of this community continue to encourage the creative, educational, and community building work in which I’m involved, and I am grateful.
One of things I enjoy most in this work is ‘planting seeds’ and ‘connecting dots.’
Last spring, after seeing a short iPhone video (sent by a friend) of a young man from a very small town in southwest Mississippi who could play like Jerry Lee Lewis, I think I saw a little of myself back in my small town, trying to figure out what chords I had to learn to play “House of the Rising Sun.” This self taught young man clearly had talent, so connections were made, and he attended the Delta Music Institute Summer Camp a few months ago and stole the show at the camp showcase. 
So when GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi announced that this year’s Crossroads of American Music award would go to Jerry Lee Lewis, ‘seeds were planted’ to see if this young man might have an opportunity to perform at the gala event. Sadly, Jerry Lee passed away before this young fan could meet him in person, but the young man, wearing a borrowed suit, was invited to say a few words at Jerry Lee’s Celebration of Life in Ferriday, Louisiana, and Jerry Lee’s widow made 17 year old Thomas Sanders feel special.
Another example of one of the many kindnesses of this community was one of our favorite haberdashers in town, Danny Abraham, arranging for some proper stage clothes for the young performer so that Thomas was made to feel like a star! 
He was introduced to the stage last night as “Little Killer” Sanders and he tore it up! So many of you there made him feel special and celebrated, recognizing that gifts and talents can sometimes come from the most obscure places, and like seeds, they need to be tended to and nurtured. Here’s hoping that this young man will have more ‘farmers’ around him as he grows.
Sometimes a seed bears fruit and the planter is still around to witness it. What a gift that is. This week, a former student of mine who graduated from the DMI program at Delta State, called to share the news that she was part of a GRAMMY nominated album this year as an audio engineer! 
I am so excited for her, but it made my day that she took the time to call and say ‘thank you’ for the lessons she had learned from me as a teacher and mentor while at Delta State…and THAT made me feel like I can go a thousand more miles…thank you, Audri, and good luck! You’ll be paying it forward in a few years…
I hope you all are staying safe and warm and finding some quiet time amid the chaos as Advent approaches and again we wait in wondrous anticipation for the Hope of the world.
+peace+
Tricia