As the show draws to a close tomorrow, I find myself having mixed emotions. I am, on one hand, looking forward to having my weekends back and resuming some normalcy around here. On the other hand, I have a feeling the orchestra will be seeing some tears while I conduct some of these musical numbers for the last time tomorrow. I am so incredibly proud of these kids and all they've brought to this show. They've poured so much time, effort, energy and love into this production and they've truly made it a great experience for me.
I have the privilege of leading the kids in warm-ups before the show, and yes, occasionally I do the traditional vocal warm-up or two, but mostly, I just have them grab hands and we sing a worship song together. Last night I let them choose, and in harmony, we sang "Amazing Grace." By far one of my favorite moments yet. As we knelt and prayed, one of the little girls put her head on my shoulder, looked up into my eyes and whispered, "I love you."
I'm definitely feeling sentimental today.
I hope I remember the kleenex.
3 comments:
Aww, I can feel it. There will be tears, of course. I so wish I could be there with you. It has been an experince that you will never forget but I'm sure there will be many more like it. You are there to make a difference in these childrens lives as they have in yours. You are going to be remembered by them long after the music fades away. Bless you, my friend.
Hope you have an incredible closing night! Enjoy every moment!!!!
I hope your closing night is great!!
Singing Amazing Grace reminded me of a quick story. When I was in college my roommate and I went on a missions trip to work at a childrens home in Kingston, Jamaica. The compound where the missionaries and kids lived and went to school was divided by a big gully. There were two houses for missionaries. One on each side of the gully. All the boys lived on one side and the girls on the other. In order to get from one side to the other we had to exit the compound and walk down a public road to get to the other end. We were always escorted by one of the live-in teachers or the handy man to insure our safety.
I can't carry a tune in a bucket, but my roommate could SING! As could a couple of the house parents and one of the older girls. One particular night two of the house parents and the older girl were our escorts. As we reached the house where we were staying with a missionary couple my friend was discussing music with the trio. She said let's sing Amazing Grace. They began to sing. The missionaries heard from inside their home and came to watch. Watching/listening to the four of them sing on that dusty isolated Jamaican road still makes me tear up.
Sorry. Long story. You just reminded me.
Post a Comment