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MOON RIVER AND ME

August 10, 2016 • Julie Saffrin • 12 Comments

Chicago River Full Moon Photo Credit: Adam Bykowski Used with Permission WWW.REDBUBBLE.COM/PEOPLE/BYKOWSKI

As a mother of three sons, I received a very special gift twenty-three years ago: A goddaughter named Layna Mestad. What a blessing I was given.

Layna loves Minnesota’s North Shore, antique shops, and like me, has kept a journal for most of her life. High on her list of things to do in life is to be a writer. I think she already is one. She’s a regular blogger for the Weisman Art Museum.

I asked her if she’d like to guest post. To my amazement, she said she’d love the opportunity. Here is her post. I love it and hope if you do too that you’ll leave her a comment.

 

Moon River and Me,
by Layna Mestad

chicago-skyline-and-moon

Henry Mancini’s Moon River escaped my daydreams during spring break of my sophomore year at the University of Minnesota. I am the youngest of three kids, and the only girl. I, along with my two older brothers, Allen and Nick, have the quintessential big-brother little-sister relationship. They helped shape me by simply being authentic versions of themselves and letting their intuitions lead them through life. However, I never could have imagined a song from the 1960s sung by Audrey Hepburn on a fire escape would so eloquently bridge my brothers’ worlds to mine as it did.

In March 2014 I visited my brother, Nick, in Chicago over that spring break. He’d moved there five years prior to pursue becoming a skilled improvisor. He made the move right out of college with the understanding Chicago was the place that would foster his dream.

Layna and Nick Mestad

Layna and Nick Mestad

To this day, I am in complete awe of Nick and his journey to the Windy City. I have seen over the years how a dream can guide people to an unknown place, chew them up, spit them out and imprint authenticity into their being. I missed my brother back home in Minnesota, so my time with him was precious.

I was thrilled to be in Chicago, and found myself humming Mancini’s magical tune. I had seen Breakfast at Tiffany’s the summer before and was taken with the style and romance the film so eloquently depicted.

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Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn in one of her most memorable roles in breakfast at Tiffany’s) Photo Credit: Stephanie at Flickr

I was enchanted by Holly Golightly’s romance with Paul Varjak, played by Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard.

audrey-hepburn-392920_1280

Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Mancini composed the film’s score, and the accompaniment of Mancini’s sound in a world starring Hepburn is simply enchanting.

Johnny Mercer wrote the words to Moon River.

jhnny mercer

Johnny Mercer

Stephen Holden wrote in The New York Times that the lyrics are about Mercer’s childhood in the south and his longing for wanderlust with his childhood friend. I believe Robert Wright of The Atlantic said it best. “This is a love sung to wanderlust,” he wrote. “Or a romantic song to which the romantic partner is the idea of romance.”

That day in Chicago, I found myself sitting on my brother’s worn futon from college dorm room past which sat atop a filthy rug full of dirt and Dorito crumbs. Apparently, cleanliness wasn’t a priority for him at this time. As I stared at the empty white walls enclosing me in the small living room, I seemed to have embraced the endless possibilities of life that flooded my mind listening to Hepburn croon Moon River.
downtown-chicago-at-night

My journal from March 2014 reads, “So, I just came across Henry Mancini’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s soundtrack. I feel so at peace with my world. Here’s to you Chicago. . . ‘Off to see the world.’ You’re right. There’s a world out there for me to see.”*

Buckingham Fountain in Chicago

Buckingham Fountain in Chicago

I remember exploring my brother’s new city while singing my new favorite song to myself and feeling liberated. I remember feeling like I was living in a distant dream of mine, something so far off . . . yet there I was roaming the streets of Chicago, a reality that I could only hope would someday be my own.

 

Exploring the Streets of chicago

Exploring the Streets of Chicago

It is outside of the dreaming realm in which the wanderlust is fed. The delicate notes of this song gently guided me through my own reality. I got my heart broken to this song, I longed for love to this song, I cried to it, I smiled, I laughed, I traveled, I was inspired, I was loved, I was lost, I wrote to it, and was sent off into my future by it.

All it took was one person recognizing the potential in another to create this beautifully simplistic piece. Ginny Mancini, Mancini’s wife, told BBC News that film makers at Paramount thought they needed to dub someone else’s voice for the song in Breakfast at Tiffany’s since Hepburn wasn’t a trained singer (Jane O’Brien, BBC News). Mancini watched Hepburn sing a song in a different movie which prompted him to write a song that catered to her limited tonal range, and the rest is history. In doing so, he created a portal that sent me off to see the world.

Someday, I thought, when I find the right guy, I’ll have my brother, Allen, play Mancini’s Oscar-winning song at my wedding.

I obtained my diploma in May 2016 from the U of M. Unfortunately, I caught the flu and was not able to attend my commencement. My parents wanted grad pics so I threw on my cap and gown and covered my sick flu eyes with giant Jackie O sunglasses and smiled for Mom and Dad. Standing on the field of TCF Bank Stadium wasn’t hard, and I have my past employment status there to thank for the photo op.

Layna Mestad upon her graduation from the University of Minnesota

Layna Mestad upon her graduation from the University of Minnesota

Since I missed my originally planned graduation party, my parents rescheduled a small party for me a few weeks later where I was surrounded by my family.

Three notes of mellow vibrato drifted into the room before I saw Allen playing his trombone. I balled my eyes out at his surprise and sweet gesture. Later, I learned he had practiced for weeks to perfect my favorite song.

Allen-and-Layna-resized-for-web

Allen surprising Layna by playing Moon River on his trombone

The moment was lovely for another reason, too. I realized wanderlust has been a true companion of mine all along. I have been and will always be a devoted traveler of my daydreams, a hopeless romantic at heart. It is truly beautiful when your dreams become your reality, when simple hope-filled thoughts travel into existence.

Moon-River-page-1Being at a place of reflection, I feel like my reality are the dreams that I once had for myself. I grew up going to my brothers’ band concerts, plays and improv shows. Some of my favorite memories are of watching Allen, as part of the large maroon and gold marching band, march out of the tunnel at the Metrodome, and of Nick writing in his weathered Moleskine and making audiences laugh.

Allen and his trombone took me to many concert halls and football fields throughout the years, but my favorite destination was the University of Minnesota where I graduated with a degree in journalism several years after he marched off the field for the last time and graduated with his master’s in landscape architecture.

Layna with her brother, Allen Mestad

Layna with her brother, Allen Mestad

As a kid, I used to spy on Nick when he wrote on the wrinkled pages of his Moleskine, hoping to catch a glimpse at the secrets only paper-filled with a writer’s inner thoughts seem to know. I wanted to fill pages of a journal with my own world, as he did. I now have a stack of messy ink-filled journals from fourth grade up until now.

I dreamt of going to the University of Minnesota and I dream of becoming a writer. I can’t help but think of my brothers when reflecting on what I’ve wanted out of life and where I want to go.

When Allen played his trombone for me, it signified a turning point in my life. I felt as though I was being sent off into life gently guided by the melody of Moon River, an old friend.

moon-river-goin-your-way-for-webI don’t know what the future holds for me, but I imagine a girl on her fire escape humming a tune that reminds her of the two brothers who led her to see the world by giving her a piece of their own.

Photo Credit: Bonequinha de Luxo for Flickr

Photo Credit: Bonequinha de Luxo for Flickr

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Photo Credit: Marco Antonio Torres at Flickr

 

Thanks so much, Layna, for writing this heartfelt piece. I’m privileged that you would take the time to write something for my readers and might I add, I’m so proud of you!

Love, from your godmother.

*Actual words changed to protect the copyright of Moon River’s lyrics.

Note: Photo Credit of the Chicago River Full Moon: Adam Bykowski. Photo used with permission from the photographer. Visit more of his work at www.redbubble.com/people/bykowski. Thanks so much, Adam for allowing the usage of your stunning photo. It truly captures Layna’s story.

About Julie Saffrin

Julie Saffrin is the author of numerous published articles and essays. Her latest book, BlessBack: Thank Those Who Shaped Your Life, explores the power of gratitude and offers 120 creative ways to journey toward positive, lasting change.

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Filed Under: Interviews Tagged with: Allen Mestad, Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Chicago, George Peppard, Henry Mancini, Johnny Mercer, Julie Saffrin, Layna Mestad, Moon River, Nick Mestad, nostalgia, University of Minnesota, wanderlust

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  1. Erin Kopperud says

    August 11, 2016 at 8:57 am

    Beautiful! Layna Marie, you ARE a writer! ❤️

    Reply
    • Julie Saffrin says

      August 11, 2016 at 12:26 pm

      I agree, Erin! Thanks so much for taking the time to read the post and to comment. And you’re right. Layna is an amazing writer!

      Reply
  2. Adam Bykowski says

    August 11, 2016 at 11:52 am

    Hi Julie, I am the guy who shot the moon over the Chicago River at the top of the blog here and am so glad and appreciative of you putting my image at the top.What a wonderful thing you did posting the great story that your goddaughter Layna wrote. She writes so well. It is such a pleasure to see the close and loving relationship she has with her brother and so great to read on how he influenced her in a positive way. Being a photographer, I love shooting the buildings and scenery of downtown Chicago. It is a special place and at night it is pure magic. It is nice to read something positive for a change. I wish Layna the best in her future.

    Reply
    • Julie Saffrin says

      August 11, 2016 at 12:25 pm

      Adam, Thanks for stopping by to read the blog as well as leaving a comment. I cannot tell you how pleased I am that you gave me permission to use your stunning photograph of the Chicago River to headline this blog post. You are an amazing photographer and what a shot of the moon you captured! At the bottom of the post, I provided a link to your page. In addition, if people click your photograph, they will be taken to http://www.redbubble.com/people/bykowski as well. Thanks again! Julie

      Reply
  3. Joy DeKok says

    August 11, 2016 at 1:14 pm

    Thank you for sharing your talent and beautiful heart Layna Marie!

    Reply
    • Julie Saffrin says

      August 11, 2016 at 1:27 pm

      Thanks for commenting, Joy. I know the comments are making her day!

      Reply
  4. Cheryl says

    August 11, 2016 at 8:21 pm

    Thanks for sharing. This is a wonderful story and beautiful memory.

    Reply
    • Julie Saffrin says

      August 11, 2016 at 8:31 pm

      Thanks so much, Cheryl, for somehow finding time to read this! Hope all is well.

      Reply
  5. Gail Helgeson says

    August 22, 2016 at 8:13 am

    Sounds like you have a beautiful life, Layna. You are living the dream right now. Thanks for this lovely post. Blessings to you on following your dreams. Imagine the possibilities.

    Reply
    • Julie Saffrin says

      August 22, 2016 at 9:12 am

      Hi Gail, Thanks for reading Layna’s post. You’re right. She’s living the dream right now! And I can’t wait to see your novel in print! Hope you’re having a great writing day.

      Reply
  6. Layna Mestad says

    August 22, 2016 at 2:49 pm

    Thank you all for reading my little story and for your kind words! This makes me so happy.

    Reply
    • Julie Saffrin says

      August 22, 2016 at 3:13 pm

      Layna,
      Well deserved comments. Loved your blog and love that you love Moon River. You are welcome anytime to guest post on this blog. Best to you on your writing journey!

      Reply

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