By Stacey Kumagai
Well, I just saw the news break and in an instant my heart sank.
Sitting here numb and broken, sad and yet still inspired, grateful and lost and yet empowered - I am scrambling with my feelings to make sense of timing.
I am saddened by the death of Olivia Newton-John as she was one of the earliest vocalists I listened to in my life in crossover genre between radio stations in my youth.
Little did I know, I would have the great honor and privilege of working with this woman, not just once but twice all via the Susan G. Komen Foundation. https://mediamonstercommunications.com/about
Thus, this loss feels personal to me in ways that go beyond what my words can find to articulate eloquently in this present moment.
When I was a child entrepreneur, I used to take my earnings from lemonade stands, bake sales, being a baton twirling teacher to kids in my neighborhood and buy records.
"Let Me Be There," “Please Mr. Please” and “If You Love Me Let me Know” were 45s that came with a photo slip cover. I was excited to be able to play these songs on my record player at a whim, anytime I wanted rather than merely waiting for the rotation on pop or country radio.
I had ‘downloaded’ a premonition as a child from the Divine that I would meet and work with this amazing woman, but not in the realm most people would. I wasn’t sure at the time that this was real – questioning my spiritual realm connection, and just gleefully kept playing records on repeat happy that I had childhood jobs to pay for my addiction to music of all genres.
There was an 'almost' time... when I was working in the fashion industry and Olivia had her Koala Blue line. But the Universe said, "No... not here, not this way" - and I heard this and just kept doing the work in front of me. When I left the fashion industry commentating and modeling, I went into broadcasting.
My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, at the same time she was battling Alzheimer’s and suddenly I was thrust into getting newsletters and gathering information on the breast cancer journey.
At this time, after my father had passed, I was truly lost - feeling alone in how to help my mother battle both things. None of my friends had older parents, none of them were ill or battling things and my support circle was very non-existent at this time.
But because of Olivia's work with all of her breast cancer advocacy and support - I suddenly did not feel alone. I actually felt as if someone understood and she reminded everyone fighting this battle and the families supporting said battles, it was okay to carry on and keep going, understanding the bigger picture of the gift that each day in a life brings.
THIS FOREVER CHANGED ME.
As I was working a career in broadcasting and in PR simultaneously, coming off my broadcast affiliate relations position at a music production company, I would have my first encounter with Ms. Newton-John via L.A. Breast Cancer Alliance in my PR work for the first inaugural Wango Tango Concert benefit via 102.7 KIIS-FM in 1998.
I briefly wrote about this encounter in 2017 – not the way I had expected to meet her…
https://linkronicity.blogspot.com/2017/08/linking-to-synchronization.html
Olivia had been one of the earliest performing advocates to use her voice, her very own personal journey and active support ‘having walked in said shoes’ to use her platform and outreach to others. She was always a person who walked her talk in being the pillar of strength and model example of keeping up the fight repeatedly, even when cancer came back and she fought again and again.
Somehow, some way, her inspiration gave me the strength to support my own mother through her mastectomy and in her battle with breast cancer, she actually gave me HOPE – which is one of the most powerful things to have when challenged, wondering all the ‘what ifs’ in life.
I wrote about my mother’s breast cancer battle and working with other clients specifically fighting their own breast cancer fight (and ultimate twelve year remission):
https://linkronicity.blogspot.com/2015/10/remembering-courage-breast-cancer.html
This pathway has always been part of my journey – somehow, working and crossing paths unexpectedly while doing work for the greater good has brought forth blessings, validations and reminders to stay on one’s course.
Olivia’s constant fight and inspiration has bonded millions of women and her purposeful journey is a reminder to all of us that life is short, the Divine’s plan is multifaceted and one never knows just how much impact they leave behind until the void is felt.
My second chance to work with Olivia again came by way of my being a Publicist for a concert venue designed for non-profits to be benefactors from live concerts.
This time Olivia and George Barris’ Greased Lightning car were involved and Susan G. Komen was the benefactor.
Olivia was an artist and used her talents to raise awareness.
She was an advocate and she was an inspirer by sharing her own journey.
While millions will remember her music, her movies, her TV appearances, her concerts and videos – I believe those of us who have been fortunate to know her work with breast cancer awareness will forever be grateful for her voice. She reminded all of us that we are on this human journey together and we will forever have an opportunity to take our own adversity forward in the name of our loved ones and ourselves to amplify said causes and use our voices for good.
This is the magnitude of Olivia Newton-John’s impact and I
am forever changed by this unexpected LINK to this amazing warrior woman who
fought hard along her own journey in the name of helping others as she herself
kept up her own battle.
Thank you, Olivia Newton-John. Safe journey, safe passage and on this 8-8 Lion’s Gate powerful infinite energy – may you know that your impact is infinite and eternal and we are forever grateful for all you have done in your advocacy and vulnerability in sharing your story with us to ensure that none of us feel alone.
Blessings, Peace, Love & the brightest LIGHT, dear Angelic One.
Namaste.
Stacey Kumagai
www.linkronicity.com
