Let’s all remember IZ and his gift of “Somewhere over the Rainbow”

Music has been such an important part of my life. It has kept my heart warm in cold times, kept me company when I felt alone, energized me when I needed a lift, healed my wounds when I was suffering. Music is part of me and I am grateful for all it has given me. Today again I was reminded of  how music mysteriously is always there for me.

I did an interview earlier with a great blues rock artist, Lisa Lim (complete Interview is here) and one of the questions is below:

• Music Junkie Press: If I could peak at your Ipod, what artist or song might I be most surprised at finding in there?
• Lisa Lim:  Israel “Iz” Kaʻanoʻi Kamakawiwoʻole, “Somewhere over the Rainbow”

Well, I truly was blown away. See, that song has such an incredible meaning for me and has always been held so close to my heart. Almost 11 years ago was the first time I ever heard that song. Sometimes with circumstances, you can actually remember the actual first time you ever heard something or saw something. I remember every detail.

It was November 24, 2002 and I was in Stanford Hospital about to give birth to my 2nd child, a daughter who we had been so excited to  have. She came early and after numerous trips to three different hospitals only to have them tell me that they couldn’t save her or stop the delivery, I went to Stanford – I figured they were the best of the best in the area and would do everything possible for our little Julia. Well, to no avail, Julia was born and she lived for just hours. Each second, each minute we all held her and looked at her perfect face and body and tried to understand why. Even Ryan who was so looking forward to being a big brother was there to say goodbye to her. He used to wear this shirt when i was pregnant, “I’m the Big Brother!”  It was heartbreaking and I thought I would never get over the loss of her.

Later that night, I was transferred from the maternity ward to a private room to recover and stay the night. The nurses station was right outside my room and everyone knew why I was there. They were all very kind and understanding and I just laid there the whole night, couldn’t sleep, couldn’t cry, couldn’t talk. There was this nurse out there, I believe her name was Anne had a radio or CD player there. Earlier she had someone turn off some dance music that was playing and she walked by and just smiled. Then a few minutes later, the song came on. I sat in that bed and listened so intently to it. I just cried and cried. It helped me know that one day I would see my little Julia again.  Oddly enough for the next few weeks I heard that song everywhere. The day of the funeral it played on the radio, when I was going back to work, it was playing, it would show up on the TV or in movies. It always reminds me of my little girl and I just treasure that song.

Today after that interview, I went to play the song and there it was…. Today is the anniversary of when the singer, Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo’ole died. It was a time for me to not only remember my little girl but to sit and honor the singer of that wonderful song. I want to honor IZ and thank him for helping me through the hardest time of my life and for giving me strength to carry on. Here is that song:

Take time tonight to remember the great singer “IZ” and also remember all those loved ones that you have lost. Then hug the ones that are with you and don’t forget to tell them how much you love them.

~ Peace, Marisol

Israel Kamakawiwo’ole

May 20, 1959  to  June 26, 1997