I have since an adolescent been enamored with New Years. Stacey was likely conceived on New Years Eve in 1965. Not ever a party-goer, and almost always in bed asleep before midnight, the theme — the GOD-GIVEN gift of new beginnings — deeply resonates with my soul.
When you see that every moment is fresh,
every moment is new,
every moment is changing,
every moment is arising — that’s reality.
~ The Daily Tejaniya
This year John and I went to the theater (less than 10 minutes away) to view the film Song Sung Blue. We had seen the trailer when we went to view Wicked For Good last week. I thought it was about Neil Diamond, but when Linda and Larry drove down from Blue House in Punta Gorda and picked us up at 6:15 pm she told me as we were parking the car that it was not. We were home by 10 but in between we were affected by the story of Wisconsin’s own Claire “Thunder” Sardinia and Mike “Lightning” Sardina, who performed together from 1989 until Mike’s death in 2006. One of their most memorable performances was at Summerfest in 1995, where they opened for Pearl Jam and sang “Forever in Blue Jeans” with Eddie Vedder. The film was excellent. Amazing performances by Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman, with powerful acting by everyone.
This morning I listened to an interview with Claire Sardina following the opening of the film. A few of the words from that interview have been woven into my New Year meditation for 2026.
When asked if she thinks Mike would like the film, Claire responded, “He would love it. He does love it. He watches over me. He guides me….”
She reflected on the skills she learned from being with Mike, saying, “He was the overall entertainer — a true entertainer — there for the people (not for yourself).”
Claire heard Hugh Jackman say in one of his interviews, “We believe that if it wasn’t for Mike, this whole thing wouldn’t be happening. Because Mike was a dreamer.”
Her infectious positivity is highly influenced by Mike’s, “Attitude is everything. He was always saying ‘This, too, shall pass’ and I think it came from AA. That along with ‘You can do this’ were Mike’s favorite sayings.”
Claire said,”I pray a lot….” and she is still performing!
In their publicity Mike made a point of clarifying he was not a Neil Diamond impersonator. Claire helped him find the words to say what he felt, “I am an interpreter of the music of Neil Diamond.”
I imagine Mike telling you to be your best you in every moment. Every moment is an opportunity to be an interpreter of the highest expression of your holy self.
May your New Year be filled with inner peace, compassion, and joy in the present moment. May you love and be loved and know that you ARE love…. May the words of the childhood song “Jesus loves me” fill your heart and soul to overflowing. May all beings come to the end of suffering. May 2026 be a healthy and Happy New Year!
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