Tag Archives: community

A Tale of Three Gifts

Posted on August 2, 2018 by Barbara McAfee

Gift #1 July 4th would have been Karly Wahlin’s 33rdbirthday. She died at 27, weary from struggling with her challenging body and ready to leap into the new place she had glimpsed for years. Her mother, Lois Swope, and I … Continue reading →

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Singing Through Grief

Posted on July 19, 2018 by Barbara McAfee

Your grief for what you’ve lost holds up a mirror to where you are so bravely working.                                               … Continue reading →

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Black Friday

Posted on December 7, 2017 by Barbara McAfee

I am writing this blog on Thanksgiving Day. Tomorrow is Black Friday, a day when many Americans succumb to consumer frenzy and stampeding greed. I never think about shopping on Black Friday. I think about black ice and a semi-truck … Continue reading →

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The Church of Loud Crying

Posted on June 15, 2017 by Barbara McAfee

Like many of you I recently watched TV host Jimmy Kimmel speak about his newborn son’s heart defect. I was struck by how moved many people were to see a public figure – especially a white male comedian – weep … Continue reading →

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We Carry Each Other’s Stories

Posted on January 5, 2017 by Barbara McAfee

I will remember you. Will you remember me? Don’t let your life pass you by. Weep not for the memories….                                –   Sarah MacLachlan It is near the turning of a new year as I write this. This season is … Continue reading →

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New Sounds in the Neighborhood

Posted on July 21, 2016 by Barbara McAfee

I have two new neighbors who are changing the sonic texture of my neighborhood in beautiful and significant ways. As I type this, my neighbor two doors down is wailing away on his tenor saxophone. He moved into John and … Continue reading →

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Grief at the Grocery Store

Posted on July 9, 2016 by Barbara McAfee

You know the story by now: An innocent African-American man – Philando Castile – was shot by a police officer at close range a few miles from my home. His gruesome and unnecessary death was witnessed by his beloved and … Continue reading →

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My Ethnic Food – A Musical Tribute to “Lake Wobegon Cuisine”

Posted on August 7, 2015 by Barbara McAfee

I am at a potluck in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The hostess has asked us each to bring a dish that reflects our ethnic food. There is a huge and glorious spread from all over the world: African peanut stew, Thai noodles, … Continue reading →

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Living By Heart: Reclaiming the Oral Tradition

Posted on June 2, 2015 by Barbara McAfee

I lead a monthly community sing in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Newcomers to the circle are often looking around for the lyric sheets or songbooks. There aren’t any. I teach singing in the oral tradition, one line at a time, without paper … Continue reading →

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Conscious Dying: The Story of Jack

Posted on January 8, 2015 by Barbara McAfee

Jack and I were at the YMCA Christmas tree lot in the dark chill of a December night. His breath plumed among the pine branches as he laughed about his recent visit to the orthopedic surgeon. “During my pre-op visit … Continue reading →

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