Friday, January 31, 2014

Music speaks....


I was blessed tonight by some of the most beautiful music ever composed and it was played by some of the most innocent yet talented students. They play because they love it. Most of them have not yet figured out the mark they can leave on their audience simply by sharing their talents. I had decided not to go to the concert but then I thought.....and decided they deserved a full audience. So I went. A piece that I had heard so many times by all kinds of ensembles just filled my heart. Don't you love it when that happens? Every once in a while we all need our heart and soul filled with something so pure, innocent, moving and beautiful. I wish I had made a video of the arrangement because I can't find it on YouTube. But here is a link to another arrangement: http://youtu.be/m7ibzmO04Io

Memories just flooded me. They were the good kind. The ones that make me want to live another wonderful day on God's beautiful Earth. The ones that give me affirmation. I thought about how many times my Mom and Dad sat in that very same audience to hear me play. They never missed a concert, even in college. I see my dad often but I miss my mom like crazy. And for the length of that song I could see my mom as clear as day. I could hear her voice and remember her laugh. Not being able to do that is something that I struggle with daily. But in that special place in time, my memories of her were perfect. I will never get more time with her on this earth so these memories are special. They are the moments that I hold my breath and wait for. They are the moments I want to have more often. 

There is no way to put into words how thankful I am for that 6 minute song. It was a blessing.  After the concert I looked up the translation.

Latin text
O magnum mysterium,
et admirabile sacramentum,
ut animalia viderent Dominum natum,
jacentem in praesepio!
Beata Virgo, cujus viscera
meruerunt portare
Dominum Christum.
Alleluia.
English translation
O great mystery,
and wonderful sacrament,
that animals should see the new-born Lord,
lying in a manger!
Blessed is the Virgin whose womb
was worthy to bear
Christ the Lord.
Alleluia!

The first three words.....they explain a lot. "O great mystery". Life is a mystery. Why we experience heartaches, happiness, blessings....these are all mysteries until we see Jesus face to face. 

God, I pray for the ability to trust in the mystery and to seek Light even in the face of darkness. I long for the day I can see Your face and see the perfect and beautiful face of my mother. Give me hope through my heartache and words to draw people closer to You. Give me faith to walk on oceans deep. Amen. 

Ole Miss Concerto Concert
Ripley High School--One of my first performances as a band director
Ole Miss/Tennessee Game