The Livin' is Easy ?

I wonder if there was a point in time our culture began believing that with some unknown intervention (riches come, stars align, salvation "fixes" life, retirement happens, diseases cured) our life will be easy.  As I look back over this past year - the challenges and the rewards - and anticipate the next year - the anticipated challenges and  rewards - why do we expect, hope, the next year will be anything better than the last? Seems to me like the true reward is in the depth of life day to day, moment to moment. I hope to live in the spot where I don't strive to live for the next day, but rather to reap the meaning of the moment.

Am I Tired Yet?

Getting older has some clear advantages - people tend to listen to what you have to say a little more, or at least they feel compelled to pretend to listen.  Looks to me like we get more doors opened for us, and we eventually get those Senior Citizen discounts, although it also seems to me that the qualifying age for discounts keeps getting older and older.

Gone are the days when someone my age would be looking forward to retirement and all the travel, fun and relaxation that would bring. Here are the days where we older folks have to continue to work.  So that is one huge reason I am wrestling with the idea of starting a community choir.  I left the track on my way to becoming a professional musician years and years ago but have consistently fantasized that eventually I would return and teach music, drama or a combination in the community. A couple of years ago I had the opportunity to oversee the drama productions at the local high school and loved it!. However it quickly became apparent that it was way too much given my work schedule. 

So now, I'm toying again with the idea of trying to build the community choir.  I love directing. I have always loved directing.  I WANT to do it.  Women my age quilt and paint.  I want to make music. 

Stepping down, stepping away

Like childbirth, growing older is a unique yet universal experience.  I've started feeling myself pulling away from the world that seems to spin out of control these days.  Watching my grandchildren taking on more and more adult-like qualities seems to reinforce that my days are truly numbered.  Weird thing is that it is ok.  I remember asking my grandmother once if she was afraid to die. She must have been about 83 or so and I asked her, "Grandma, at night when you go to sleep, are you ever afraid you might not wake up?"  She chuckled and said, "Oh Suzie, no.  You live while you're awake and you're too tired to worry about dying at night!"  I understand now more of what she meant.  Life seems to slip away first by the seconds ticking and I would guess by the time you turn 80, it is slipping away by the minutes.  And it really is ok.  I figured out the other day that if the age my ancestors lived is a hint as to my own longevity, I probably have another 25 Autumns, 25 Christmases, and 25 Springs.  It's weird to start a countdown. 

A Song for Every Occasion?

I am known in my family and among friends of having a song for every occasion!  I grew up singing songs with my mom and dad and through the years have learned many, many songs.  Songs for me reflect history, feelings, hopes and ways to communicate to others some things that just can't be shared with words alone.

For many years I have directed church choirs, community choruses - both child and adult, directed community musicals, operas and led community sing-alongs..  While I have had the honor of singing with many talented singers and performers, most of the clear memories I hold are singing with people in a community of singers.  Singing in a choir is an amazing experience!  You don't have to be a soloist. You don't have to read music.  You don't have to play a different instrument (I saw different instrument because your voice IS an instrument!)

So what are some songs you know that others may not?  Here is my list:

I Had a Little Rooster

The Burglar Bold

I Wish I Was Single Again

Turn the Radio On

Don't Give Away My Little Shoes