Sonnystone Acres

On December 20, 1974 I gave birth to an 8lb, 9oz baby girl and named her Melissa Beth.  Her dad, Bill (Beaver) Bass, and I loved her mightily and were amazed at her precocity and charm.  Though we divorced when she was 2 years old, we did our best to show her that the one thing we agreed about was our love for her.  I had sole custody of Melissa, but had plenty of help from the Bass/Hefley clan, without whom I couldn’t have provided the loving environment that shaped her early years.  She danced and sang; played with her imaginary friends (Cindy and Jan);  read her books and generally entertained the many folks who traipsed in and out of our lives.   When she was 5 years old, Mike Casey married us—she was my maid-honor, walking with me down the aisle to our new life as a “real” family.  The following year Mike legally adopted her, making her his daughter and giving her his name, his undying love and devotion.  At age 8, she sang her first solo in church: “May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You”.  I remember holding on to the pew as she went for that last high note and the tears that fell as she nailed it so perfectly (without a mic, of course).  In the 5th grade she sang with the University of Evansville Children’s Choir, the first of many choral groups that marked her career as a singer.  By the time she was in 8th grade she was involved in a group called TKATS (Talented Kids and Teens) and starred and supported in their many musical endeavors throughout her high school years.  She attended Central High School, where she was involved in all things musical, culminating in her leading role in Brigadoon her senior year.  I don’t want to leave out her All-City Choir experience, where she linked up with many people who encouraged her (and still do).  A lady of many talents, she also edited her high school newspaper and seriously considered pursuing journalism in college.  In the end, however, she chose Vocal Music Performance as her major, attending Indiana University School of Music.  While there,she met the Love of Her Life, Eric Jose’.  When Melissa decided (actually with a push from me) to go to NYC to pursue her dreams, Eric and her dad moved her to West New York, NJ and I thought she’d be back in a couple of years to do something practical and logical, like teaching; but I underestimated her determination.  She and Eric were married on October 24, 1999 in a dream-wedding that I still think was one of the most beautiful I’ve ever witnessed (”Can you feel the Love tonight?”). They settled in Manhattan.  In May, 2001, Melissa was diagnosed (not exactly then, but let’s not get into it) with Crohn’s Disease.  This complication, along with the tragedy of 9/11, disrupted her life and sent us all into a spin.  Many treatments and surgeries later, things are better, mostly.  The grace and calm she has shown as she has coped with this horrible condition has been remarkable, and her courage and strength awes and inspires all who know her.  Emma Magnolia, whose life has been well-chronicled by her mother’s beautiful photographs, seems to be a fitting antidote for so many years of suffering.  Today she works as a cantor at St. Joseph Catholic Church; sings at the Episcopal church services in Somers, NY; sings with many NYC choral groups; photographs children; bakes wonderful pies; nurtures her family; faithfully tends to her many friends.  This interview was conducted back in November, 2009, when I was visiting NYC.  I have put off posting it because it is so hard for me to write about Melissa without my emotions getting the better of me.  I have tried to be objective, but anyone who knows us knows that I’m her fiercest fan. 

What is your favorite virtue?  kindness

What is your favorite quality in a man?   a sense of humor, thoughtfulness, intelligence

What is your favorite quality in a woman?   a sense of humor, thoughtfulness, intelligence

What do you consider Your chief characteristic?   sincerity

What do you appreciate most in a friend?   loyalty

What do you consider your main fault?   insecurity

What is your favorite occupation?   muppeteer

What is your idea of happiness?   enough to eat and drink; friends; satisfactions with place; good health; lots of laughter;  not just “enough”, but “something special”..

What is your idea of misery?  loneliness

If not yourself, who would you be?  a cutting-edge avant-garde artist’s artist; an artist’s muse

where would you like to live?   NYC, Cape Cod, or Europe

What is your favorite color?  flower?  bird?  orange/pink;  magnolia/peony;  cardinal

Who is your favorite prose author?   Haruki Murakami;  Alice Walker;  Toni Morrison; Mark Twain

What is your favorite poet?    Mary Oliver; Maya Angelou (also her prose)

Who are your favorite heroes in fiction?  Atticus Finch;  The Little Prince

What is your favorite hero in real life?  my mom

What is your favorite food?  drink?  name?  spaghetti (meal); cherry pie (dessert);  hot coffee with 2 sweets and 2 creams;  emma magnolia;  (currently) carolina

What do you hate most?  injustice

What natural talent (other than those you have) would you like?  to be athletic

What is your present state of mind?  sleepy

Favorite motto:   Do unto others as you would have them do unto you;  It’s all good;  Just breathe.