Labor of Love

I remember the day I was told I have Parkinson's disease, and that very exact moment I told myself I am NOT going to let this disease define me.  Having that mindset, it propelled me to think outside of myself and the disease.  I started asking myself if God allowed this to happen to me for a reason.

Ever since I was a little girl, I was always ultra-sensitive to other people's feelings. I still remember when I was 4 or 5, my family was driving past a funeral home and I caught a glimpse of people crying as they walked out of the building. I started crying and my mother asked me why I was crying. I told her my reason, and she asked me why for I did not know those strangers. At school, I cried when I saw another child crying, and soon other kids were calling me a "cry-baby". I remember all too well the amount of times I had to suppress my tears so that the other kids will not call me names. I cannot help feeling sad when I see others sad, and I think God created me that way because someday He is going to use that compassionate heart to reach out to those in need.

I think that day has arrived. Every day, I come across and hear about people battling with something in their lives; personally or to a loved one. I do not have to look too far; from family members to friends to coworkers....... Diseases, depression, addiction, loneliness, unresolved anger just to name a few. Everyone seems to be battling something, and life can be so hard. Living with an incurable and progressive disease gives me a platform to encourage others and to bring hope to many. I can very well be resentful and give up on life. I can stay mad at God and the world for letting me live like an old person when I am only 51. Instead, I can honestly say I am very much at peace with my condition and see it as an opportunity to think beyond this disease. I can have opportunities to use this ugly situation and turn it into something beautiful. I think my opportunity came when I could not sleep one late night, and got up to journal my thoughts into a poem.

My creative juice started pumping, and I became a writer overnight:) I started writing my first blog to bring hope, humor and some light reading about my journey. I turned my poem into a song and now into a music video with the help of so many wonderful people with God-given talents. The one thing I am most proud of is that (with the exception of Shawn, the vocalist) everyone involved in my song and video production are not veteran professionals in their fields, but really amateurs who are very talented and very passionate about what they do. Let me introduce you to my creative team.

Peter Kim(Video Producer): Peter is a recent college graduate from Judson University (major in Media Production) He is an independent videographer and cinematographer. He is currently contracted to work at Willow Creek Association. You can also check out Peter's website. My music video is Peter's very first music video production.  I think he did an excellent job. Thanks, Peter.

Ashley Guest(Dance Choreographer): Ashley is a sophomore attending Western Michigan University majoring in Dance. Ashley has many years of dance experience, and you can see her passion for dancing in her choreography. She did an excellent job with all those amazing dance moves, and this too is her first choreography for a dance music video. Ashley's family has been friends with our family for years and they are an important part of the Leonard's family life.  Thanks for being part of this, Ashley.

Jackie Leonard(featured dancer):Jackie is my 15-year-old baby and a sophomore from Fremd High School. She has been dancing with the Dance Project in Hoffman Estates, Illinois since she was 5 and is currently on the competitive team. She is also on her high school volleyball team and the Orchesis dance team. Her favorite things to do is dance, volleyball, hang out with her friends and bother mom&dad:) I am so proud of Jackie for her superb dancing in her first dance music video. She is the girl I wanted to be when I was her age; smart, beautiful and a talented athlete. I love her to the stars and back.  

Shawn Christopher(Vocalist): The first time I heard Shawn sing at my church decades ago, I thought I died and went to heaven. Her angelic power-house voice can send chills and thrills through your soul. I cannot count the number of times she made me cry with her singing. I am just so honored that she said yes to me when I asked her to be the vocalist for my song.  Shawn has just moved to California and I wish her God's blessings and protection on her.

Jeremy Leonard(music composer and producer): At 22, my first-born attends Columbia College in Chicago majoring in Audio Design Production. He has done many remixes and awesome original compositions. Check Jeremy out on Soundcloud under his artist name, INIMIT. This young man has a raw music talent and works so hard in his love for music. Many late nights through the vents in my bathroom, I can hear Jeremy working on his music composition and I pray every day for God to open doors for him where he can do what he loves most as his career. I am so proud of my boy!! Thanks for creating beautiful music for my song, doing an A++++ job on the song production, and helping me make some executive decisions on the directions I should go in the video production.  You are the best, Jeremy!! I love you, big guy.

Michele Marvin(Album cover artist): Michele is a junior from Palatine High School.  She also dances at The Dance Project. I have always told her mom she is a child prodigy because she is an amazing dancer, outstanding student and out-of-this-world artist. She won first place in the 2015 Nationals Dance competition.  She is definitely an accomplished 15-year-old. Thanks for the beautiful masterpiece of the album cover, Michele.

I want to say thank you to all the above artists because they all donated their time and talents for free. It was definitely a low-budget but high quality music video. God knew I did not have money to pay these amazing artists because I am broke with two children in private colleges. Yet, He provided me the best to create something so beautiful that left me speechless.

***Special thanks to The Dance Project (TDP) for allowing Jackie to run through her dance at the end of her dance classes. Also, for lending us the portable dance floor for our outdoor video shoot.  It was deeply appreciated. Thanks to Lisa Gomez, TDP owner and director, for her immeasurable support and advice throughout the whole video production. It meant a lot to our family.

Now, enjoy I Will Choose music video (turn off mp3 music player on top left before you watch the video) and this video is dedicated to anyone and everyone who is battling their own beast in their life. Remember, you are anything but alone.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:6-7