June 15, 2021 Nightbirde

Jane stood on the stage staring at the world in front of her. It felt surreal. She wanted to pinch herself, was she dreaming?

It was the culmination of everything she had worked towards in the last year.

And it was real.

In front of her sat Simon Cowell, Heidi Klumm, Sofía Vergara, and Howie Mandell, the four judges for America’s Got Talent. Behind them sat a live audience, the most people she had ever sung in front of in her entire life.

And it was really happening.

Jane pushed down her nerves and her fear and readied herself for the moment she has been working so hard for. 

She was ok and she would share her message with the world. Her song ‘It’s Ok’ she wrote for herself, the power of her song was so strong it was ready to burst. 

Jane began to share her song with the world. When she started she had no idea the impact her story and her song would have. All her pain, fear, and anguish poured from her soul as she let it all go. It was Ok. 

When the song was over she knew in her heart, she had nailed it. It was a performance of a lifetime. Who knew how long that lifetime would be? But in that moment it didn’t matter. She had done it!

The votes started with Howie… He loved her authenticity. She felt her stomach do leaps. The nerves pulsed inside her body and she felt an elation build. She could fly now and Heidi and Sophia agreed. Next, it was Simon. 

She looked into his eyes and felt a connection. “That was incredible…”

Without thinking she smiled and spoke,”You can’t wait until life isn’t hard to decide to be happy.” Jane felt a release and an inner truth in those words. After battling cancer for the past year, having her husband leave because it was to hard for him… she decided it was time to be happy. Her song spoke to her soul and it was a release from her pain.

“I have seen many great singers here this season.” Simon’s voice broke into her mind.

Jane stopped and held her breath waiting for the next words.

“I am not giving you a yes.” Simon paused, she couldn’t believe it. It was a good performance, it deserved a yes. Simon felt it deserved so much more… “I’m giving you this…” he reached over and pushed the Golden Buzzer.

When the golden confetti started to rain down, Jane fell to her knees. Stunned, shocked she reached for a breath. The Golden Buzzer is the ultimate reward and highest honour. Simon had just sent her into the finals. Weak, she stayed on her knees and soaked up the moment of ecstasy. 

Her voice and her song were so much more than her struggle with cancer and abuse. The fact she connected with so many people left her feeling stunned. She stood back up and looked around. Why was she crying? These were tears of joy tears that released her from her inner storm. Cancer lurked in the background, ready to strike at any minute now, in this minute nothing mattered but the feeling of wonder and joy…     

It was all a blur, she felt so weak and yet stronger than ever before. Simon came on stage and gave her a hug. Did he do that with everyone? Jane didn’t think so. She was swept up in the emotion and buoyed by the cheers of the audience. 

It was her moment and she soaked it all in.

After the show, it was a dizzying whirlwind. She was glad people were inspired by her story. 

Her story wasn’t over. It was a new chapter that was beginning and she would make the very most of it.

*****

Jane Marczewski was a contestant in the 2021 season of America’s Got Talent. Her story has gone viral and serves as an inspiration for the human spirit. She goes by the name Nightbirde. When I saw the show I felt an immediate connection to her story. It is one of sorrow and triumph. I hope her story continues and she can be a beacon of hope in these dark times.