Ariana's Tears / Ariana's Joy
How The Song Came To Be, by Larry LeBeau

On occasion, friends have asked me how these songs get started. So, I thought it might be interesting if I share the stories behind some of my songs. I thought I'd start with Ariana's Tears / Ariana's Joy because that song has a particularly moving story. This is clearly a combination of two songs, very different, yet together for very special reasons. The first half, Ariana's Tears, was written on the afternoon of September 11, 2001, a difficult day for all Americans as we struggled to make sense of a horribly tragic event. Although I feel the compassion, and perhaps even sense the growth in collective humanity that has come about as a positive result, the magnitude of the evil underlying the attacks still leaves me more or less at a loss.

It so happens I was actually physically closer to these events than I ever would have thought possible. I normally work as an engineer from my Pennsylvania office and go to the main facility in Washington, D.C. once a week. Due to a special meeting, I was there on Tuesday, September 11th. We are located in a government facility that is only about five or six miles from the Pentagon. We were all acutely aware of the unfolding events in New York, when our meeting was interrupted to tell us that there had just been a major explosion at the Pentagon (they didn't know it was an airplane yet). A few minutes later we all heard another explosion, which we shakily agreed must also be associated with the Pentagon. It wasn't long before the word was given that our building was being evacuated. Even though nothing actually happened where I was located, it was much closer and much more real than anything I had ever experienced. I'm not ashamed to admit I was scared. Fortunately, other than a long wait to get out of the facility grounds, and some minor traffic jams, I was safely home a few hours later.

When I got home that afternoon I took the "kids" (our dog companions) for a walk in the woods. Kacey, one of our Golden Retrievers, and I talked-just calm reassurance and love. We stopped to rest by a tree I have dubbed the "Lightning Tree" because it has the wounds of an old lightning strike from when it was much younger. As I sat under the tree I heard the message that "even after lightning strikes, healing, growth and good things can result". It seemed a little overly optimistic considering the day's events, but it was a worthy message nonetheless.

When we got back to the house I headed for the piano…where I normally go when I need an emotional release. As I sat there, not sure what to play, I heard "go ahead and do something with A minor like you always do". Something fairly pretty, but perhaps a little sad, came out as Monica and I worked on the new song. Joining us that day as a collaborator was Ariana, an angel, who ironically reminds me quite a bit of Monica herself. (The three of us share an affinity to American Indians. Therefore, it's fitting that this song has a feel that reminds me of these great people.) As I played this new melancholy, yet beautiful song, I knew from the message I received at the "lightning tree" that even in the face of the overwhelming events it reflected, this song would end on a joyous note. However, I could not seem to find it that day, or for many to come.

The ending of the song… Ariana's Joy… was finally written on October 13th after a very uplifting day. That morning I had spoken directly with Ariana, Archangel Michael, and others during an AngelSpeake workshop with Sharon Schmidt, and was once again feeling that intensity that comes with these communications for me. When we returned home, I was outside in the woods with Bunny, another Golden Retriever companion, when Monica said to me "G major seventh". I said, "That's all, just G major seventh?" She said, "Just play it and see what happens." When I got inside, I did as I was told, and suddenly I felt inspiration all around me as the angels told me to "add C major seventh" and more. The joyousness of the music filled me as I played on. To this day, I am not exactly sure what I do to play the one part. I just simply "know" how to play it. It always amazes me.

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