Let me start with an apology. It's been quite a while since my last blog. But that doesn't mean I don't have a lot to say... I always do! And quietly, behind the scenes, I've been working on a book with my friend/creative partner Robbie Adkins. You may remember that Robbie and I launched our new venture, Fresh Light, late last year with beautiful art prints, decorative pillows and a whole lot of love. You can see everything on our Shopify Store here.

Now we're on to our next project - a much-requested collection of ALL of my lyrics and the stories behind the songs. Robbie will be doing some illustrations and laying out the book in a user-friendly fashion.  As I work on the project, I come across songs that I've not shared here before. So consider these posts a "sneak preview" of the book to come.

ANCESTORS & ANGELS - The Story Behind the Song

I had just finished reading about the role of our ancestors in our current life journey and I started thinking about the role they might play now in mine. I combed through my family tree for clues.

Since both of my parents were only children, I didn’t have cousins or aunts or uncles. But there were always older relatives doting on me and my brother during holidays and special occasions.

First, I thought of my Great-Aunt Mary, my grandfather’s twin. She had an amazing voice that I only remember hearing once. It was my 7th birthday party, and for some reason, Mary started singing at the top of her voice. I remember being mesmerized by the clarity and power.

Thoughts of my grandfather came tumbling in. How dapper he was (he owned a men’s store in Brooklyn and always looked fresh and crisp); how he loved me; how he didn’t smile much but when he did, his whole face lit up; how he took care of my grandmother; how he lived and died.

Great-Uncle George invented the pogo stick and Great-aunt Francis made the best breakfasts when we stayed at their sprawling house in upstate New York. He twinkled. She laughed.

My grandmother on my dad’s side was very musical. She taught piano and voice and she passed on a love of music to my dad…who passed it on to me.

I felt them all supporting me as I moved forward in my musical life, being the angels I’d felt in the recording studio or when I sang by the bedside for hospice patients. I knew they were there.

I found myself wondering about the difference between ancestors and angels. Is there a difference really? And how should I call upon them? With an invocation, of course:

“Hear me, hear me call you
Hear me, hear me call you...

I call on my ancestors and all of the angels
Show me the way a step a day, please light the path
I’m blessed by my ancestors and all of the angels
Along the way I stop and pray to light the path…”

Of course, it isn’t only MY ancestors who are angels. Yours are too…

Click to listen:

Ancestors & Angels

Ancestors & Angels is on my third album, REACH UP and is available on my website Sandi Kimmel.com , for download at CD Baby and iTunes. Also available for your listening pleasure on YouTube, Spotify, Rhapsody, Apple Radio and other streaming services. Please visit my website to learn more about me and my music.  And thanks for listening and sharing the music!

ANCESTORS & ANGELS
Words & music by Sandi Kimmel

Hear me, hear me call you; Hear me, hear me call you

I call on my ancestors and all of the angels
Show me the way a step a day, please light the path.

I’m blessed by my ancestors and all of the angels
Along the way I stop and pray to light the path.

And take the next logical step
And trust the process
Day by day and breath by breath
The journey unfolds
All is well and timely
For my soul.

Hear me, hear me call you; Hear me, hear me call you

I honor my ancestors and all of the angels
I understand at my command they light the path.

I thank all my ancestors and all of the angels
For all the love sent from above to light on the path.

Take the next logical step
And trust the process
Day by day and breath by breath
The journey unfolds
All is well and timely for my soul. 2x

(They) hear you, hear you call them
Hear you, hear you call them

Just call on your ancestors and all of the angels
They show the way a step a day and light the path

You’re blessed by your ancestors and all of the angels
Along the way just stop and pray to light the path

Then take the next logical step
And trust the process
Day by day and breath by breath
The journey unfolds
All is well and timely for your soul. 2x

© 2006 S. Kimmel, Sandessence Music (BMI)