We sang My Blue Heaven, Paper Moon, Don't Fence Me In, Baby Face, Side by Side, a few Beatles and Everly Brothers songs, and ended up with some gospel numbers, like Amazing Grace, Will The Circle Be Unbroken, and How Great Thou Art. The audience was small, but appreciative, we performed in the foyer at Sayre Christian Village, and it was incredible.
There is nothing quite like hearing the voices of 20 people in unison, but it is especially dear to hear a few dozen elderly people lift their voice in song. They sang, clapped to the rhythm of the songs, applauded, then they thanked me profusely...and they joined in my prayer the end of the singalong, as we all said the Lord's Prayer.
Betty Cecil watches son, Danny play Amazing Grace on the upright bass as Dr. Kate Covington plays piano. |
This morning was a cool start to a great day, though, when my choir sang Sing A New Song, with Danny Cecil (my best alto friend, Betty's son) on the upright bass and Dr. Kate Covington on the Steinway. Kate led our choir all summer while our Director of Music, Michael Rintamaa was on sabbatical. Kate is a retired professor from the University of Kentucky, but she still loves to teach music theory and is simply one of those fabulous souls that one would call "the salt of the Earth."
Both Kate and Michael are my spiritual gurus, and I owe a great debt of gratitude to them for the musicality and inspiration they've shared with me over the years.
Oh, and by the by, my health is improving. It's improving because I've decided to take care of myself and enjoy every day of life as if it is my last. When I stand at the pearly gates, if I should be that lucky, I hope that I will have nothing else to give, that I will have used all my gifts that my heavenly Father has given me.
In the meantime, I am playing more of my own music and promising myself never again to over-invest in any more activities that end up doing nothing more than break my heart.
I want to write about those who continue to give back to the community...I shall go hear wonderful musicians like Roger BonDurant and Jim Gleason, hang out with Fantastical Theatricals' dramaMama, Kathy Hobbs, and cover Natasha's theatre company, Balagula, run by the charming prince named Ryan Case; and all the other up and coming theatrical companies like Bluegrass Mystery Tours ... their shows are selling out, and they're giving great opportunities to the acting artists in our community.
This lady is from Maysville - and she knew Rosemary Clooney! |
I'm embracing my family, especially my sisters, who buoy my spirit and keep me afloat, both spiritually and emotionally...and I vow to always listen to friends who are burdened and try to help them with their sorrow. I will also keep my self cool by whatever means necessary, in all ways -- emotionally, biologically, professionally, personally, locally and globally.
sister Kelli sang perfect harmony and kept me in line :) |
Enough about me, let's talk about ME! lol Just kidding...but I am happy to have ended this week with a happy exchange of messages with people who care about me, and to have a Sunday full of memories that I shall cherish forever. My choir, my friends, my musician buddies who give me little tips to make me a better singer and player, and my sisters who consistently find imaginative ways to help me through the tough moments in life. It's funny, because both Karen and Kelli always have the same advice to give me; they just have wonderfully different ways of expressing it.
This dog is a huge fan of standards ;-) |
This lady had only been at Sayre Christian Village for 3 weeks. She said next week, she hopes her daughter will show up for our next singalong. I hope she does too, that is my prayer <# |
I'm glad for a lot today, and although I've been babbling on about my fabulous day, I guess at some point I need to shut the heck up and give you my best regards for the week to come....and oh yeah, I'm also going to share with you a prayer I prayed with the residents today:
Glorious God,
Source of all Joy
and Righteousness;
Enable us as redeemed
and forgiven children
evermore to rejoice in
singing your praises.
Grant, that what we sing
with our lips, we may
believe in our hearts,
and what we believe in our hearts,
we will practice in our everyday lives,
so that by being doers of the word,
and not hearers only,
we may receive Everlasting Life.
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
Amen.
The Promise is not vain...and morn shall tearless be.
(This is the prayer my choir director always prays with us. It never fails to inspire me.
I hope your have a lovely week, lambchops :)
peace,
Kimmy
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