You needed love to win at the game of music...I played of sadness. I played of loneliness. Despair. Love found and lost. I played of tragic misunderstanding and weary cynicism and defeat. I played of perseverance, endurance beyond all suffering. Endurance in the face of hopelessness, hope when even hope was a betrayal...And yet, though I played so much sadness, the music at the same time denied despair. How could anyone despair while music was being played?

The stories would lift me up,the words like a breeze beneathbutterfly wings,and take me far from the pain in my bellyand the tight knot of my heartI hope they will have stories at my school.If they don't know how,perhaps I can teach them.It isn't such a hard thing.All you must do is sayOnce there was...and let your hoping find the words.

All you must do is say 'Once there was...' and let your hoping find the words.

The grocery storehas rows and rowsof color, of light,of easy hope.Hannah moves down the aisle,but I stand like a tree rooted firm, my eyes too full of this place,with its answers to prayerson every shelf.

I hear the fear and hope fighting in my voice.

The grocery storehas does and doesof color, of light,of easy hope.Hannah moves down the aisle,but I stand like a tree rooted firm, my eyes too full of this place,with its answers to prayers on every shelf.

Life changes, so you must hope.