Welcome To Genea We begin our journey as Lee arrives on the planet Genea which is an advanced culture with a welcoming energy. The people are happily content as they enjoy productivity in their comfortable and optimistic world. It is a pleasant adventure to discover the intricacies of their way of life and thought. So Beautiful Genea is an extraordinarily beautiful planet with twin suns that give spectacular sunsets. This song expresses the beauty radiating in the gentle warmth of Genea. Sweet Dreams There is a deep sense of dreaming in this song and a musical feel of thickness in the sound like a fog with a simple melody coming through. At this point in the story my father, Lee, has a dream that takes him back in time to a sweet family adventure on the Colorado Monument. I remember this trip and have thought of it throughout the years. As grade school aged children, we buried a small treasure for a future camper, forgot about it, and had the thrill of discovering it a year later, not realizing we buried it until we dug it up. Deep Within My Heart This song speaks deeply to my heart. In the story, Ra’el speaks a rebuke. I feel it and am humbled by it. She speaks a challenge to our generation of American people that I hope is not coming too late. Breezes of Ba-yith The adventure on the planet of Ba-yith begins in a coastal region where gentle breezes blow and the scent of sea salt freshens the air. There is a soaring freedom as Lee and Jon enjoy lofting over the terrain in futuristic technology we haven’t seen yet in our generation. Simple This song is inspired by my friend Mo Nabulsi and the simplicity of his composition style. JayLee, my little girl, said this song reminds her of the family in the story with eight children that live on the coast of Ba-yith. Simple took its place at that point in the storyline with its phrases of 8 counts representing the children. For Jessie My father was incredibly generous and was always thinking of his loved ones. On Ba-yith he purchased a lovely gift for Jessie, his wife, and uniquely stored it for her to acquire in her future when she arrives in eternity. His deep love for her is like a crimson thread that weaves throughout the tapestry of his journey. Our Wedding Prayer I love this song as its simple beauty feels like a wedding prayer of two hearts desiring to be united as one under the blessing of God. This song is dedicated for the wedding of Jon and Gretel, whose engagement ignited an entire community with buoyant joy. Guernsey Cow Originally this song was titled The Walk and later Journey as I wondered where the song would end up. After reading about the Guernsey Cow, I could envision its heavy walk and the humor of Lee’s delight to find this special treat on his journey, thus the song officially took its place in the storyline- with a cow. San Lucibrado There is a deep mystery in San Lucibrado that is respected by giving it privacy and space. You Are My Refuge It is a comfort in my personal life journey that no matter where I go, or what I encounter, God will always be my refuge and my soul is safe in Him. My heart hears this melody say, “You are my refuge” as a personal expression to God. Belle Isle Belle Isle is in the Detroit River and has been a special place for our family. Dad took us there for family days when we were children and even let us skip school for it. I remember ice skating on the canal, running around the aquarium that is now over 100 years old now and feeding deer out of the trunk of his car. Dad always had snacks and packed carrots and apples just for the deer when a trip to Belle Isle was on the schedule. My father often told us how he frequented Belle Isle growing up and was caught fishing at the Aquarium. When we traveled for the dedication of his book, I was able to take my family to Belle Isle, enjoy the day and find that infamous Aquarium pond. Lily Lily is my grandmother, whom I have never met. She entered the hospital when my father was eleven years old and he never saw her again as she died when he was thirteen. She was a concert pianist – which I cherish sharing with her. During the Great Depression she sold pianos out of her home and my father recalls her having six grand pianos there at one time. It was an honor to visit her in the story and learn of her tender love for people. I Need You So I hear the words “I need you so” in this melody. I dedicate this song to my husband, Tye. There is a tender melodic passion that ebbs through the song and expresses a rhapsodic emotion of need. I chose to bring this song into the story to represent the emotions as Lee longs for Jessie, the love of his life. Christmas In London Big snowflakes, chiming bells, sparkling lights, generous gifts, charming storefronts, warm smiles and laughter with friends add to the enchantment of a cherished holiday… Christmas. Time Pauses Time pauses for Lee as his sees his companions freeze in place and he is intercepted from that world to begin his return to Earth. Return The novel Day of Splendor was written in Flushing, Michigan. Upon booking my flight to return to Flushing for the dedication of my father’s book, my heart was filled with the joy of a pilgrimage back to a very special place. I sat at my keyboard and this expression of anticipation burst forth. This embraces the emotions of joy when my father’s journey returned him to Jessie, his place of ministry, friends and family. It was his honor to return and pen this extraordinary adventure. Gone Gone communicates the deep grief in my heart from the loss of my father who died in 1997, 5 days after he finished writing this novel Day of Splendor. The melody weaves pain with sadness, and expresses my heart crying out; yet ends on the tender assurance that he is now experiencing the wonders of eternity and all is well in the Presence of God.