Kathy Miller singing her original song
'THE TOUCH OF YOUR HAND'
turn the music off/on
"Kathy Miller Sang her Dream!"
by Judy Jones
KATHY MILLER
'The touch of your hand
is all that I need
to reach out in love
in the service of life'
by Kathy Miller
I was first introduced to Kathy Miller while listening
to Peace Pilgrim's song, "I AM" which is sung
beautifully by none other than Kathy herself!
She volunteered for the Peace Pilgrim Center.
On January 10, 2006, Kathy Miller made her
transition, leaving behind for all of us to enjoy,
her beautiful music in a CD called:
"KATHY MILLER HONORS PEACE PILGRIM"
The songs on the cd are the beautiful essence
of Peace Pilgrim's journey. Kathy's voice echoes
the soul of all Peace stood for and I am very
honored to share the following interview
with you!
Kathy graciously answered the questions below
for "ON THE ROAD WITH JUDY!"
leaving her life as a shining example of a person
who not only 'REACHED FOR HER HIGHEST STAR!',
Kathy Miller touched that star by serving others.
PEACE PILGRIM
'This is the way of peace
overcome evil with good
falsehood with truth
and hatred with love'
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KATHY MILLER
ME: Kathy, I first learned of you when
I heard you singing Peace Pilgrims
song, "I AM" and never dreamed
I would be fortunate enough to actually
do an interview with you for "ON THE
ROAD WITH JUDY!"
What inspired you to record her song?
Kathy: A film producer lived in my home for 2 1/2 years
while doing research for a documentary
on Peace Pilgrim.
He assembled a volunteer staff including several
who focused on music. I asked one of them, who
professionally arranged music for the piano, if
he could make an instrumental arrangement
of the song that Peace Pilgrim composed. I thought
it would be nice as a theme for the documentary.
After several months, he told me he couldn't do
it because Peace Pilgrim wrote it like an old
fashioned hymn. So, I started fooling around
with it myself. First I transposed it so I could sing
it comfortably. Then I just had fun with it.
ME: How did your first find out
about Peace Pilgrim?
KATHY: In 1994, 13 years after Peace Pilgrim's
death, a friend sent me a copy of the booklet,
Steps Toward Inner Peace, in a get well card.
I was profoundly moved by this booklet and
phoned the Peace Pilgrim Center to order
the book:
'PEACE PILGRIM, HER LIFE
AND WORK IN HER OWN WORDS'
She sent me the get well card because
I had just had surgery on my throat.
Many of my family and friends were concerned
I would not be able to sing again.
ME: Were you searching for something
meaningful in your life at that point?
KATHY: I was not aware of that but on the
other hand, one of the first things
about Peace Pilgrim that inspired me
was the affirmation our life experience
is filled with wonder and untold possibilities.
ME: Sounds like your whole life changed
after opening your door to the filmmaker.
But Peace Pilgrim's impact upon
people was transforming.
KATHY: I knew I was being presented
with a once in a lifetime experience
when I opened my door to the
filmmaker. My whole life, expanded.
ME: How have you grown volunteering
at the Peace Pilgrim center?
KATHY: When the center moved to
Somerset, California, I was
the only one there. I realized
people would expect me to
have answers.
The center received mail, phone
calls and email from all over
the world. I couldn't believe how
many selfless people there are
doing their unique part in bringing
peace to our planet!
Then one morning in October of 2004,
when I was 64 years old, I was diagnosed
with lung cancer. Suddenly I felt helpless.
Ann Rush Kathy Miller John Rush
ME: Have there been moments Kathy,
you have resented giving so much
of your life to others?
KATHY: No, I highly recommend
being a volunteer. To be
of service is a great gift!
Giving is not selfless.
I have always received
more than I gave.
ME: Your singing voice is
lovely. Your first cd:
KATHY MILLER HONORS
PEACE PILGRIM
absolutely took my breath
away. It is simple and clear.
You must work hours on your
musical gifts.
KATHY: Thanks for the compliment.
I came from a singing family!
My cd 'Kathy Miller honors
Peace Pilgrim' was first
recorded in my home at
my 60th birthday party
and later in a professional
recording studio.
The first song on the cd
"Peace Pilgrim's Message
this is the way of peace"
came to me when I was
walking one day, and I wrote
"Restful Darkness" as a lullaby
for my grandson, Devin.
ME: "The Touch of Your Hand"
which is playing in the
background of our interview
on "ON THE ROAD WITH JUDY!"
is my personal favorite!
Do you plan on putting out
another cd?
KATHY: Because of the throat
cancer I can barely sing.
But I will share some lyrics
I wrote;
"How do I say, "I love you"
to a friend who awaits
the unknown?"
That mystical part of life's
journey that each of us
faces alone
And where do I find
life's meaning while the
world is falling apart?"
The love that's born of this
moment is a miracle
of the heart"
ME: People often refuse to grow
and move forward. You didn't.
Why?
KATHY: Grace. It is a gift, and
I have led a charmed life.
ME: Kathy, do you feel fear
is our major drawback
in our spiritual development?
KATHY: When my husband left
me with three young
children, I was deeply
frightened.
And yet the fear forced
me to move ahead so in
that case, fear was my friend.
ME: Peace Pilgrim was extremely
humble. She felt blessed
sleeping on the floor of a
restroom at a gas station.
Can you offer any insight
into where her humbleness
came from?
KATHY: Peace Pilgrim could
not accept comforts
while so many others
in the world had none.
Her body became less
important to her than
her mission.
During her fifteen years
of preparation time, she
became the 'master' of
her temporary clay shell,
thus enabling her to fulfill
her mission.
ME: Kathy, what is the
most challenging
part of your illness?
KATHY: The hardest thing
will be to say goodbye
to my children.
ME: What do you want
people to remember about
you and your walk on
this earth?
KATHY: It is not important whether
I am remembered or not.
What is important is we all
strive to live to our highest
potential for the good of all.
ME: Thank you Kathy!
PEACE PILGRIM
'overcome hatred with love'
Below link to "ON THE ROAD WITH JUDY!"
visit to opening of the new Peace Pilgrim
library and archives
http://www.ontheroadwithjudy.com/peacepilgrimjjones.htm
"THE TOUCH OF YOUR HAND"
Lyrics & music by Kathy Miller
The touch of your hand is all that I need
To reach out in love in the service of life
To speak only truth, to seek harmony
The touch of your hand is a blessing to me
We stood on the sand, our backs to the sea
The steep path ahead our only way home
I climbed up the rocks as the tide came our way
You stayed on the sand til I heard you say
Reach down, give me your hand
The touch of your hand is all that I need
To climb up this cliff and escape from the sea
The incoming tide terrifies me
The touch of your hand is all that I need
Just the touch of your hand is all that I need
We stood in the sun midst the wonders of life
we watched them unfold, a miracle to see
Then my eyes grew dim, the world faded away
Til you stood by my side and I heard you say
The touch of my hand is just what you need
To see this new world through the eyes of love
To speak only the truth, to seek harmony
The touch of my hand is just what you need
I watched your hands work with metal and wood
Repairing the homes of your family and friends
You also mend hearts and take away pain
With a humble request to be whole again
The touch of your hand is all that I need
To reach out in love to the service of life
To speak only truth, to seek harmony
The touch of your hand is a blessing to me
The touch of your hand is a blessing to me
Kathy Miller Honors Peace Pilgrim cd
available at:
Friends of Peace Pilgrim
www.peacepilgrim.org
203-926-1581 telephone
friends@peacepilgrim.org
"ON THE ROAD WITH JUDY!"
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