My post today honours Jane Marczewski, whom I blogged about previously, a 30-year-old Christian woman with cancer who has much to teach us in these days. America’s Got Talent became the place where I, and many, many others first learnt of her and her struggles. She cannot continue on AGT, and our prayers are with her and for her.
She writes:
Sharing my heart with the world on AGT has been an honor and a dream come true. My point of view this summer has been astounding. What a miracle that the pain I’ve walked through can be reworked into beauty that makes people all over the world open their eyes wider.
Since my audition, my health has taken a turn for the worse and the fight with cancer is demanding all of my energy and attention. I am so sad to announce that I won’t be able to continue forward on this season of AGT. Life doesn’t always give breaks to those that deserve it—but we knew that already.
Thank you for all your support, it means the world to me. Stay with me, I’ll be better soon. I’m planning my future, not my legacy. Pretty beat up, but I’ve still got dreams.
Instagram _nightbirde
In calling herself “Nightbirde”, Jane is referencing a repeated dream she had – and then one time the actuality – of birds singing in the dark outside her room as if it were light, as if the dawn had come. That is such a powerful image – singing, living, even when it is dark, as if it is light, as if the dawn has come.
I here reblog what I wrote on my first post about her:
I was deeply moved by the above America’s Got Talent clip which I fell over as it went viral on the internet. Jane Marczewski is a woman, aged 30, who has had cancer for a number of years; she has a 2% chance of survival; her husband has left her. And she said:
It’s important that everyone knows that I’m so much more than the bad things that happened to me.”
She also said:
You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy.
What she says, the congruity in the way she comes across, and the lyrics of her singing speak to any who suffer. Clearly, many people in our Covid world see hers as a voice for our time.
As well as being a singer, a musician, Jane is a blogger. She also produces podcasts. As I delved into these, it is clear that Jane is a Christian, a follower of Jesus – and obviously not of the tiresomely easy-answers type. [Also see here; here; here; and linktree]
The lyrics of Jane’s original song that she sang at AGT are thought-provoking and moving. I particularly note the ones I have italicised:
I moved to California in the summertime
I changed my name thinking that it would change my mind
I thought that all my problems, they would stay behind
I was a stick of dynamite and it just was a matter of time, yeah
Oh dang, oh my, now I can’t hide
Said I knew myself but I guess I lied
I wrote a hundred pages but I burned ‘em all (Uh I, I burned ‘em all)
I blow through yellow lights and don’t look back at all (Uh, I don’t look back at all)
Yeah, you can call me reckless, I’m a cannonball (Uh, I’m a cannonball)
Don’t know why I take the tightrope and cry when I fall
Oh dang, oh my, now I can’t hide
Said I knew what I wanted but I guess I lied
It’s ok, it’s ok, it’s ok, it’s ok
If you’re lost
We’re all a little lost and it’s alright
It’s ok, it’s ok, it’s ok, it’s ok
If you’re lost
We’re all a little lost and it’s alright.
(It’s alright, it’s alright)
It’s alright, it’s alright
(It’s alright, it’s alright)
It’s alright, it’s alright.
.
I read some of her blog posts, she has a deep spiritual life; thank you for sharing her story, I don’t watch mainstream US news.
Hope you are well Bosco, and having a happy winter season. I’m still working on the song for you!