I love bagpipes, I don't know what it is, but I feel like I have to stand with my hand over my heart every time they play. There was a bag pipe street performer as I got out of a Jazz game once, I didn't see him at first, I had to walk around until I could follow the sound, and put some money into his case. Some people just glanced over and kept walking, others stopped. Those who walk on by are existing at a lower level of humanity I think, how can you not stop?
I also love the song Amazing Grace. I was asked to sing it once at a funeral.... can you say intimidating? But I had always loved the song, and love it more since.
When just the basses and tenors sing, it has that connection to a deeper place, just like the bagpipes.
So as I heard bagpipes, playing Amazing Grace, joined by only the men of MoTab.....whew.... I walked to the television transfixed. It was beautiful.
Our choir also sang in church, not Amazing Grace. We sang Rock of Ages. I asked a very elderly woman to sing part of the second verse as a solo. It was timeless and beautiful. She has the voice of an elderly woman, but sang so sweetly, we gave her a microphone since she couldn't project like she used to. It was nice. I did some other little easy arrangement things with the hymn that worked quite nicely. I enjoyed it.
I also taught yesterday. It was a lesson that covered different things, but part of concentrated on "Be of good cheer." I love talking about being happy, sometimes I think we forget that that is the whole point. It gave me an opportunity to talk about and reflect on some great examples of people I have known and do know who are peaceful, content and happy in situations that scare the pooh right out of me. Charlie died from complications from his kidney transplant, and was in so much pain before he went, the gospel was always in the front of his mind, and he was always so happy. Scotty is still in his wheelchair, trying to learn to talk normal, stand and eventually walk and use his hands again. He used to paint, so I bought him a paint set, he told me a year after I got it for him he has started trying to use it with his left hand, I'm excited to see what he comes up with. Mike, before his kidney transplant had dialysis so often they had to have the machine in their home. He got weak so quick he couldn't work, and if he worked a little bit he would've lost his financial assistance. So he searched out ways to help old ladies with sprinklers, or neighbors with little projects, or people who needed help with garage doors to keep himself busy and feeling useful. He's doing great after his transplant now.
Memorial Day is a day to remember, I don't think they have to be dead to remember the great examples in your life. I am sad though that Grandma(K.) never got a chance to meet Kristen. They would've really hit it off.
P.S. I consistently now refer to my baby boy as "Wolverine". I frequently lean close to Kristen's belly and fake shout "Wolverine!". Does anybody remember the movie Red Dawn? A group of teenagers hide in the mountains when America is invaded and become a rebel force. They name themselves after their high school mascot, yep... the wolverine. There is a scene or two when they stand on a ridge and shout WOLVERINES after blasting an enemy tank or something.... that is the rebel victory yell I will continue to intone straight at the belly button.
.........................................................................WOLVERINE!
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