My wife was recently diagnosed with a potentially life-threatening illness and had to go through surgery and a couple months of post-surgical treatment before receiving what looks to be an excellent prognosis for the future. And though I know the physical aspects of the situation were painful and scary, I believe they were only the tip of the iceberg. Just what I could sense going on in her mind over the days and weeks was a tumultuous emotional roller coaster ride. There were long moments of uncertainty and near despair, punctuated by glimmers of hope and resolve. There were instances of inadequate communication from caregivers causing her, at times, to not know who or what to believe. But her faith and love for and from her family kept her buoyed above the darkest of emotions until the sun shone and the bell rang. ‘Softly She Speaks’ is my musical interpretation of the many states of mind she has traversed during this journey, reflecting her fear and vulnerabilty but ultimately revealing her inner strength. Softly She Speaks © 2026 - Joey Arata