Another mom at church rushed in with her coffee and asked if I had slept at all (of course not). She assured me that she knew EXACTLY how exhausted I was and that we were in the same boat. (Yep, pretty much - except I didn't have a big cup of iced coffee with me. LOL.) Apparently, this is how the holidays go. Family comes, schedules get all out of whack, there are at least five hundred more tasks to be done in addition to the regular million, AND there's an Easter Bunny involved. I'm about to fall down and conk completely out, so this is going to be a short one.
A MILLION THANK YOUs to all moms everywhere who somehow magically make Easter happen. #outstanding
One memorable moment was at church when all of the candles were lit. There were hundreds of people each holding a small flame - and quiet reflections about how to spread light as it literally spread through a darkened church, as congregants lit each other's candles. It was beautiful when everyone raised their candles up.
Here's to a wonderful week in the light of Spring!
Sometimes an interesting picture appears before my eyes and I just need to stop and photograph it. ;)
It was a busy week. Family coming and going and cantor duties at church had every minute of my time filled. Gratefully, I received help and guidance from kind people all week. It's funny how I've spent years in Catholic school, attended Mass countless times, and sung at plenty of weddings and funerals but was never actually cantor before. There was a lot to remember and learn, but I believe it went well. Everyone who shared their time and experience with me is GREATLY appreciated. It's a wonderful feeling to be surrounded by the good-hearted nature of others. My sincere thanks...
Here's wishing everyone a beautiful week and a very Happy Easter and Passover!
Letting go of that which no longer serves us can sadden the heart. It was the case for me this week as I changed the direction of some of my plans for my new album and myself. I know new plans will fill in the spaces left by the undoing of old ideas. Confirmation was everywhere.
Church was perfect. The priest spoke of how a seed must die and fall to the ground before it can grow and produce fruit. He talked about allowing old ways to die - like anger, pride and the like. He made an example of John Newton, the author of the hymn "Amazing Grace." John was in the Atlantic slave trade before his spiritual conversion in 1748 when he encountered a violent storm and "called out to God for mercy." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazing_Grace) The priest continued speaking about the newness that would spring forth and the beauty of the new path that would unfold when we let go of old ways. I had already seen some positive effects of being on my new path.
After the service, Zach and I met a woman who gave me a direct message to treasure every moment with him. She had lost her daughter in a tragic accident. We both hugged her before heading out to the monument to Our Lady of Lourdes. I stood in front of that very statue and prayed for Zachary's safe arrival before he came - and I was granted the miracle of life. There we both were, standing in that same spot together. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_Lourdes
After a couple of errands, we went back home for lunch and nap time. As he was drifting off to sleep in my arms, Amazing Grace started playing on the station set up in his room.
Early in the week I found myself aggravated with someone. For a day or so, it dominated my thoughts, until finally I was able to focus on other things. #redirect
SPRING IS ALMOST HERE!!!
So we enjoyed some snow...
had a birthday...
made a trip to the toy store...
had a tunn-el fun...
and I tried my hand at beef stew... (not bad BTW).
The lights went out in church. I had just finished saying a private intention for myself when the power flickered, then went out completely.
The organist moved to the piano, someone jumped in with their phone as a flashlight so she could see the music and someone else whispered to the cantor to sing out because there wouldn't be a microphone. As "Hosanna In the Highest" hit its crescendo, the lights came back on.
As I pondered the significance of the "sign" for myself, I looked around the room and realized that there were probably at least one hundred other interpretations as well. When the priest spoke again, he mused that it was another example of "Let there be light."
Here's wishing we all find what we're looking for this week. Don't forget Daylight Saving Time! #MoreLight #SpringAhead
It was a crazy week filled with my favorite things - recording, new music, home, and people I love!
After a long (too long) road trip we finally made it home to work on what might be the final song on my next album! I LOVED IT - even though I was completely exhausted. We got it done and I am so excited about it! I've been quietly working on this album and not saying much because it is a very long and involved process that everyone would keep asking about long before it was ready to be released. We still have a long way to go in tracking the final vocals, mixing, mastering, etc., but it's really taking shape.
I MIGHT have recuperated enough now to function this week (really, that remains to be seen - lol). I suppose you could say I had help driving back, but it wouldn't be altogether accurate.
Here's to a week celebrating progress, even if it's just a little. :)
I had a writing session in Manhattan this week. The first thing I noticed after I parked the car was the giant "TD" on the building across the street. :)
With a smile, I headed to Starbucks. I ordered two sandwiches and some drinks for myself and the other writer. After spontaneously bursting out into song and dance when The Temptations' "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" came on - at THE SAME EXACT MOMENT the cashier did the same thing (causing several other customers and me to laugh) - my drink order came up and I hurried out to my session.
I had almost already passed by the homeless man out in front by the time I noticed him sitting there. I mentally reviewed my purchase, regretfully thinking that I had nothing extra to give, and kept moving, when I realized that I didn't even have my own sandwiches. I left without them! I turned around and headed back in, this time getting a full view of the man on the bench holding a sign. I inquired at the counter and was directed to the station that would be producing my two sandwiches shortly. The girl called my name and held up three sandwiches. I asked which two were mine.
"All of them," was her response.
"I only ordered two."
"You paid for three. You can get a refund at the counter if you'd like." She indicated where the registers were. I didn't have time for that and collected all three from her. As soon as I turned toward the door, I realized who the third sandwich was for.
"Ohhhh!" I said aloud as if God was standing there waiting for me to get it. I walked out and gave it to its intended recipient. "They gave me an extra sandwich. It's turkey bacon." The genuine "Thanks!" and smile had me thinking of all the signs we're given that we sometimes miss when we're too busy to notice. I almost hadn't noticed this man at all and was rushing to arrive to my session on time. God probably talks to us all the time like that. If only we heard the message more often.
The rehearsal studio was undergoing construction and the lobby on the main level was down to wall studs. My eyes scanned the elevator doors and their unfinished and wall-less edges, looking for the button. The attendant sat nearby like he was posing for a video shoot where he was playing the role of the despondent doorman. Smiling as I met his gaze, I asked him if there was a button or if it would just open when it came down. He pointed to the center of the two elevator doors and said, "the arrows." I laughed out loud when I followed his finger to a sign with THREE LARGE ARROWS pointing to a button to "PRESS HERE" for the elevator. He laughed out loud too! He said he got that all day long. Talk about being oblivious to the signs! There it was, in neon arrows! The day's events were reminding me of this scene in "Bruce Almighty."
Here's wishing us all a week in the God zone, where we see the signs. ;)
