Being “okay” even when you are not okay in every way is something that Jane Marczewski, Nightbirde, lived by daily.  Jane became an overnight success on America’s Got Talent (AGT).  She earned the golden buzzer and won the hearts of those in attendance that evening. 

Her entire performance was so moving and authentic, it is likely one I will not forget.  This week a friend posted an article written by Angela Davis (2021) as a tribute to Jane, who passed earlier this week from a long, difficult battle with cancer. 

The golden buzzer evening was her only performance on AGT.  She had to withdraw from the competition due to her health.  It only took one performance for the audience to connect with Jane.  People were so moved that the entire theater was silent for a few moments at the end of her performance.  It was as if she allowed us all to enter her world of hope, letting us know that it was okay.   

She stood on stage and casually told the world, “You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy.”  Despite her daily pain and suffering, she chose hope.  According to Jane, “Just because you are sad and grieving does not mean you don’t have hope.”  With one song Jane showed us how to be okay, with not being okay in every way.  She allowed us to see her pain and her joy, and she told us both were okay.       

That evening in 2021 one of the judges asked Jane, “Who are you here with?”  She replied, “I am here by myself.”  After her performance, it was clear to me that she was not alone on stage.  Her hope and faith shined through both her performance and her dialog with the judges.  On stage at AGT, she said, “It is important for people to know that I am so much more than the bad things that happen to me.”

Jane discusses love and forgiveness in the podcast, Then God Moved (Episode 12).  She talks about her belief that God wants us to be healed and the importance of love and forgiveness as a part of that process.  

As I listen to Nightbirde’s song, It’s Ok, I am enjoying it as much this week as I did the first time I heard the song.  She instantly captured the hearts of millions of viewers.  Her simplicity, honesty, and authenticity help assure us that we are okay.  Thank you, Jane, for sharing your story and renewing our hope. 

Click here to stay connected.