Singing

Believe it or not, I have spent two plus hours reading Diane's blog. I'm a junkie. I'm almost afraid to hit one of the long list of links...I'm thinking those are all bloggers that she reads too. Whew. Who knew this was all out there? (Diane is listed as one of my Favorite Reads...look left...)

I'm to live expectantly, and look for pockets of joy and patches of Godlight.

So...I just had to write about the most incredible phone call...

A woman called and identified herself as the daughter of H and D, both of whom have gone to heaven, and reminded me that I had sung at their funerals...did I remember? Of course. They were a dear couple.

Well, it turns out that H & D have a son, and his wife just passed away. His sister, the caller, was seeing if I might be willing to sing at her funeral. Of course. That is always an honor. The funeral is January 11th...ok...I'll make it work. Oh...one more thing...the funeral is in New York.

Grace was quiet. (That is rare, so it is worth noting).

Tim is glad to fly you out, she continued, and pay for your hotel and expenses, if you'd consider singing.

Wow.

And so, a week from Friday, I am being flown to Albany, NY where I'll be driven to Saratoga Springs (which, by the way, was mentioned in the latest Oprah magazine...some retreat center is there...) and then, on Saturday, I'll take a van with their family members north to Lake Placid, where I'll sing at the Chapel of the Adirondacks. He has arranged for a cello, a viola and a piano as well. WHEW. Two songs will be sung, including, Amazing Grace. (ha!)

2008 is beginning with a very lovely gift. I truly hope that my songs are a gift to the bereaved as well, and offer some form of comfort. The family is in my prayers.

And, just between you and me, I'm praying for a snowstorm. Snowed in at Lake Placid sounds like a perfect blog posting, doesn't it?