Krista, the young, female main character of my novel-in-progress, The Woman Inside Her, sings. She sings jazz, and through music finds a source of empathy and solace, a means to express aspects of herself that are otherwise trapped within, even a way to safely love and be loved. It sustains her, and is in many ways her source of life itself. 

She is not alone in this, I know. There are many who through performing express what is in the depths of their souls as fully as she does. But there are few who do it better than Aretha Franklin.

Given this resonance, and since the theme of The Woman Inside Her is all about becoming a woman in spite of hard obstacles and pain, it seems fitting that I share this YouTube video with you, recorded at the December 6, 2015, Kennedy Center Honors, honoring among others, songwriter Carole King.

The Woman Inside Her takes place in the late 60s, a time when the music of Carole King filled the air waves and concert venues, and when, in 1967, Aretha Franklin was the first to record and release a single of this Carole King (written with Jerry Goffin) song. We were blessed to hear the great lady of soul do it again at the Kennedy Center Honors.

Aretha Franklin, in my view, was one hell of a woman. She died in 2018, and is missed.