Unconditional love: In honor of Geri Allen

There are these moments when you realize: This is meant to stay. It was the moment when I listened to the first time ever to compositions written by Geri Allen. Our wonderful friend Dave Nartonis, who is one of the most knowledgeable Jazz experts in our life, introduced us to her art. We had the priceless privilege of spending about 18 summers with Candy and Dave in Boston, and each time, Dave picked a theme for our listening and continuing Jazz education. It was the summer of women Jazz pianists, and Geri Allen stood out to me.
I started over the years to explore her world, get to her Geri Allen's masterful exploration of the world of sound. The Gathering and Flying towards the sound, and Life of a Song are part of our soundscape in our home. (If you like to know more: www.geriallen.com).
While living in the US as Visiting Faculty at Principia College, I called Geri Allen one day, and to my great amazement, she answered the phone and we talked for about ten minutes. I invited her to my university, told her what I loved about her music, we talked jazz, academics - and life.
When giving my first lecture in Reykjavik, Iceland, I concluded the lecture with a presentation of "Unconditional Love" - and I can still hear her composition and feel the oceanic goodness of Love as the audience and I bonded on the basis of listening. 
Humanity has been better because of Geri Allen - and if someone knew how to navigate the kingdom, how to explore its continents, wonders, and secret surprises, it would be her. Geri Allen's music is a lasting legacy, and anybody who is willing to listen and learn, will become better because of it. Unconditional Love, Perfection, The Gathering - all titles of her compositions, here to stay.
Mary Baker Eddy writes: "Beauty is a thing of life, which dwells forever in the eternal Mind and reflects the charms of His goodness in expression, form, outline, and color." (Science and Health, p. 247). Expression - yes.