|
 This
is a quote from some unknown source I heard somewhere, that I find
worthy to aspire to:
“Earth
is my home and humanity is my family.
Life
is my religion and love is my example.
Peace
and freedom belong to us all.”
Born
in 1953, I grew up in Berkeley. I rode on the shirt tails of the
Bohemian, Beatnik and Hippie eras. I was a teenager during the riots
of the sixties. I was tear gassed on my way to and from school.
I was held at bayonet point. The National Guard was housed in the
girls Gymnasium at Berkeley High.
My parents survived raising three
of us in that environment. They remain active in community service,
pursuing personal growth into their late eighties.
I
have been a part of a longitudinal study with UC Berkeley’s
Department of Human Development since before I could read. My mother
was involved in this program since it's conception. It began when
she was in the fifth grade. I have continued with it to this day.
The director of this program was Dr Mary Jones. The person I remember
most was Margaret Meade. Some of the work I did with her, she cites
in some of her papers on anthropology.
I
received a draft notice in 1971, as that was the year I turned eighteen.
My name was mistaken for the male name. My claim to fame was that
I was able to burn my bra and my draft card at the same time. I
graduated Valedictorian of my High School class.
For college, I chose to go to Fresno
State (because of matters of the heart). I studied Art, Music and
Education. Though not as controversial as Berkeley’s society,
William Saroyan frequented the bookstore where I worked. I studied
with Judy Chicago when she was a resident artist in the Art Department
at CSUF. I left Fresno in the fall of 1976.
I am a political activist activist, using the name of Jane Doe in
times of Civil Disobedience.
I have held many different positions
in this art of living:
The Arts:
I am a singer/songwriter. I write
most of what I write in the wee hours of the morning, when all is
quiet and I am alone with my muses. I am a published writer and
a fine artist. I was a leather
craftsperson; I owned a shop called The Wandering Sole. I studied
to be a silversmith. I designed and made costumes for the Renaissance
Fair. I sang madrigals at the Ren. Fair as well (my first paid gig).
I have been a performer at the annual Oregon Country Fair. My first
Fair was in 1979. I was a soloist in the Mt. Madonna Choir, in Santa
Cruz. CA. I have sung in many groups and perform as a solo act as
well.
From 1987-1989, I directed a one
hundred child choir: Peace Child.
In 1989 I was part of a tour that
took fifteen American teenagers to the Soviet Union to perform Peace
Child, the musical with fifteen Ukrainian teens. We left pieces
of our hearts there forever.
October 17, 1989, marked the Loma
Prieta earthquake; a life changing experience.
Mine has been a diverse lifestyle,
being given time to be all of the facets of who I am. It is in all
these endeavors in which I partake that have kept me vital.
It is a great honor to be in service
to my community, to endow the children I presently work with a sense
of safety in this world. I know families of four generations who
reside in these mountains. I have
“grown up“ with their children, watched their children
have children and their children’s children give birth. My
heart is wealthy from the experiences I have had because this community
has entrusted their
greatest gifts to my care.
I love to hike rain or shine then
come home and cozy up with a good book.
I love the ocean, inside and out.
I marvel at a child’s face when looking in a tide pool.
I love to watch the new moon set
with the sun and the full moon rise as the sunsets.
May I always live to Dream!
Threshold
Choir
I am a member of the Santa Cruz Threshold
Choir:
“The all-women Threshold Choirs
honor the ancient tradition of singing at the bedsides of people
who are struggling: some with living, some with dying. The voice,
as the original human instrument, is a true and gracious vehicle
for compassion and comfort. The choirs provide opportunities for
women to share the sacred gifts of their voices at life's thresholds.”
My grief work began with the passing
of my son’s paternal grandfather. I did a home birth and four
months later I helped with a home death.
“... In these final days we
all came to say farewell in our own way.
I walk the redwood path, just to
say a prayer.
The Hawk and dove both winging above
this most pinnacle moment of our lives...
Our lives are but a whisper in time
and now there is no more time.
Your spirit walks beside us though
you are gone,
Your spirit lives inside though you
are gone...” © 1992, Michal Lauren
Click Here
to listen to a sample of my song Final Days
I have sung to spirit as a child has come into this world. I have
sung to spirit into its final reward. This is a powerful and deeply
respectful position to help spirit in these polar capacities; Life
and Death. Working with Kate Munger and the women she has inspired
to do this work has been one of my greatest joys. On a Soul level,
I have found a sorority of sisters through song.
There is a place where we transcend
together in an ethereal realm.. Self is put on reserve and purpose
in service reigns.
|
