You can learn a lot about a person from their Christmas tree. Is it real or artificial? Real- this person doesn't mind traveling out in the freezing cold winter weather to pick out the perfect tree. They then don't mind cutting it down by hand, strapping it to the hood of the family bus, and haulilng it home to trim and proudly display in the living room. Lots of meaning, lots of risk. Artificial- This person doesn't mind making a trip out to their nearest Home Depot or Target to pick out their perfect tree. It comes pre-lit and ready to assemble. Perfect for the busy family with young children. Same amount of meaning, reduced risk of house fire!
You can find out if they have kids. You can maybe even see their kindergarten picture displayed in the middle of a snow-flake or framed in a red and green wreath. You can find out the year that they moved into their new house or they year they were expecting their first child. Any major event in your life is captured in an ornament. The ornamentation of your life, unwrapped, and placed on the branches of your real or artificial tree.
I am comforted by the fact that every year my family and I will unwrap these ornaments, look back fondly on the event that they represent, and laugh or cry or maybe both. They will sit on display from the end of November until the first of the new year. And then, on that sad day when the Christmas decorations come down, we will lovingly place them back into their bubblewrap homes and place them back in the playroom. They are no longer hanging on the tree, but hanging in our hearts. The ornamentation of our lives.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Happy Girl
Today has been the text book definition of a perfect day. At least for me. A great day for me is being at home with my mom and sister. Simple as that. I got to sleep in which was fabulous! I woke up, took a shower, and finished up my homework. I always do homework on Saturday morning. I like to get it out of the way, pack my bookbag, and set it by the door so I don't have to think about school for the rest of the weekend! The rest of the day was spent Holiday decorating with my mom and sister. We watched at least 3 or 4 Christmas movies. Christmas is great, it's consistant and predictable in the best way possible. I can always count on watching Christmas Vacation or the Santa Clause at least 20 times from Thanksgiving to Christmas day. Not even exaggerating! Even when our lives have been completely unpredictable while I was in treatment, we still did things the same way. I love the stability of it. The kitchen was my job. I got out the Christmas dishes and switched them with our normal ones. My back hurts crazy bad from reaching up on our shelves! I also decorated the living room. We have had so many candles burning in here it is actually hot! I love it though. We have worked so hard today, but it didn't seem like work because we were together. Having fun. Enjoying eachother. The only reminder of the hard work is my poor back! Hello heating pad! Good night pain pill!
With Love,
Sarah
With Love,
Sarah
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Sing Choirs of Angels, Sing in Exultation
You know that feeling, when you're in your own world and nothing really matters? Like you are running a hundred miles an hour and nothing can touch you? That's how I feel when I sing.
I have been blessed to be a part of the Lenoir Rhyne Youth Chorus for almost ten years now, and it my absolute favorite thing on earth. We rehearse every week, perform two concerts, and tour every year. It has been the most amazing experience and has become a part of who I am.
Our Christmas concert was this Tuesday. The morning started off rough. I was recovering from what I assume was a 24 hour stomach bug. I prayed all morning that I would be well enough to perform. I would have been devestated to miss it! I got some rest, took a Zofran (my best friend and partner in crime) and began feeling much better. Nana and Kayla both came to the concert and spent the night. They made it so special for me. That's what's so great about my family. We celebrate each other. When one of us succeeds, we all do.
The concert was one and a half hours of pure joy. There is nothing more beautiful than hearing 110 young people lifting their voices to prais God. I am a Meistersinger, the group for older kids, and also a Chamber Singer. The Chambers are a select group of voices, only about 10-15 strong. Ms. Jowers chooses those that most exemplify musicality and dedication to participate. I was so excited to sing as a Chamber this year! We did all Christmas music for the concert. We sang everything from traditional carols to hymns to pieces in other languages. But, the thing that they all had in common was the thing that links every human heart on this earth together. They all glorified God and the wonder that is the holiday season. As we sang of the miracle of Jesus birth, I felt complete peace and contentment in my heart.
The last piece we sang was O Come All Ye Faithful. It is a very common song to sing during the holiday season. But, if you really listen, it has such a beautiful message. It made me really stop and listen to what it was saying. 110 Minisingers and Meistersingers filed out of the risers and into the aisles of the church. During the third verse, as the congregation continued with the words, we sang a beautiful descant. I'm a first soprano, I live for descants. When you sing it, and your vebrato voices fill the space... there's nothing like it.
LRYC has become a huge part of who I am. It's something that is unique to me. Out of all the band kids in my family, I am the only chorus kid. Well, I'm actually both. But choir is where my heart is. I definitely got the love of voice from my mom. She is an amazing singer! She often tells me stories of her high school choir, The Counterpoints, and I am thankful that we have that in common.
Ms. Jowers is one of the best people I know. She teaches us to love and appreciate music, not just notes on a page. She teaches us of a world where music is alive and palpable, where every note you sing is an opportunity to touch someone's heart. This last year, as her husband has begun and won his battle with cancer, I have seen a beautiful example. I will always be thankful for LRYC and what it has taught me. Whether it's a tour abroad singing in Canterbury Cathedral or a concert in a small church just a few miles down the road, every note is special to me.
With Love,
Sarah
I have been blessed to be a part of the Lenoir Rhyne Youth Chorus for almost ten years now, and it my absolute favorite thing on earth. We rehearse every week, perform two concerts, and tour every year. It has been the most amazing experience and has become a part of who I am.
Our Christmas concert was this Tuesday. The morning started off rough. I was recovering from what I assume was a 24 hour stomach bug. I prayed all morning that I would be well enough to perform. I would have been devestated to miss it! I got some rest, took a Zofran (my best friend and partner in crime) and began feeling much better. Nana and Kayla both came to the concert and spent the night. They made it so special for me. That's what's so great about my family. We celebrate each other. When one of us succeeds, we all do.
The concert was one and a half hours of pure joy. There is nothing more beautiful than hearing 110 young people lifting their voices to prais God. I am a Meistersinger, the group for older kids, and also a Chamber Singer. The Chambers are a select group of voices, only about 10-15 strong. Ms. Jowers chooses those that most exemplify musicality and dedication to participate. I was so excited to sing as a Chamber this year! We did all Christmas music for the concert. We sang everything from traditional carols to hymns to pieces in other languages. But, the thing that they all had in common was the thing that links every human heart on this earth together. They all glorified God and the wonder that is the holiday season. As we sang of the miracle of Jesus birth, I felt complete peace and contentment in my heart.
The last piece we sang was O Come All Ye Faithful. It is a very common song to sing during the holiday season. But, if you really listen, it has such a beautiful message. It made me really stop and listen to what it was saying. 110 Minisingers and Meistersingers filed out of the risers and into the aisles of the church. During the third verse, as the congregation continued with the words, we sang a beautiful descant. I'm a first soprano, I live for descants. When you sing it, and your vebrato voices fill the space... there's nothing like it.
LRYC has become a huge part of who I am. It's something that is unique to me. Out of all the band kids in my family, I am the only chorus kid. Well, I'm actually both. But choir is where my heart is. I definitely got the love of voice from my mom. She is an amazing singer! She often tells me stories of her high school choir, The Counterpoints, and I am thankful that we have that in common.
Ms. Jowers is one of the best people I know. She teaches us to love and appreciate music, not just notes on a page. She teaches us of a world where music is alive and palpable, where every note you sing is an opportunity to touch someone's heart. This last year, as her husband has begun and won his battle with cancer, I have seen a beautiful example. I will always be thankful for LRYC and what it has taught me. Whether it's a tour abroad singing in Canterbury Cathedral or a concert in a small church just a few miles down the road, every note is special to me.
With Love,
Sarah
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