Swan Song...

I think I might have sung my last solo, duet, chorus participation, or any other performances.  Last Sunday, January 21, 2018, Dean and I sang a duet at church entitled "Come Unto Christ," accompanied by Laura Buckmaster.  It is such a beautiful song with words that are meaningful. 

I agonized over the melody at first, because I just couldn't get it into my head.  You see, I have to pretty much memorize everything I sing these days due to my poor vision. Once I got the melody into my head, I could pick it out on he piano.  I played it over and over again.

And then there are the words.  I had to blow the music up 115% and type the words in a huge, bold font so I could see hem in case I lost my place.  Next, I started memorizing the words and putting them to the melody.  Agonizing!

In the end, with a couple of rehearsals with the pianist, we were ready for our contribution to Sacrament meeting.  I don't think I have been this nervous since high school and all the performances I had to do then.  I missed a few words and phrases, but managed to "patch things up" and keep going.  Dean did a stellar job and I thank him for his wonderful talent.  I came away feeling defeated.  "I just can't do this anymore!"

I remember when singing was such a wonderful, fun experience for me!  From the sixth grade, when I tried out for the Christmas Program (yes, they had them back then!) and was told I had an "angel's voice" with a 2+ Octave range, to my first singing lead in "The King of Rio Rico" in the ninth grade, to the alternate lead in "The Mikado" in high school, to the lead in "Promised Valley" when I was a young mother in the Stockton, CA Stake.  Singing has forever been a part of my life.

I have sung in numerous choirs, choruses, trios, and quartets.  I have sung solos in church, on the stage, and in my heart!  I have sung with my mother, my sister, and friends.  I love those memories.

Last Sunday, I sang with Dean in church.  I believe I am getting too old to go through all of that learning and memorizing to do this any more.  And so, I believe that Sunday was my Swan Song, so to speak...my last public singing.  I will continue to sing to the Lord in my heart and let Him know how grateful I am for the gift he has given me.  It grieves me that I can no longer see the music to play the piano or read a new song, but I cannot stop the aging process, just "swim" with it.