Performance night---RS Birthday Celebration

Adrenaline was seeping into my veins

even before it was time to sing

I could feel my heart beginning to beat faster

Breathe deep and slow, LD.

We had finished our dinner and now were seated in a packed chapel.

As usual, there was a room full of friendly sister chat happening

almost over shadowing

the harp duet prelude

which was lovely

(prelude, not the chat din)

I had disengaged from my own greetings to my pew mates

wanting to be ready for any start clues

There would be no one standing to start the program

It would just be our Mary Jane standing to "soprano" our beginning.

I kept turning to peek at her, two rows behind me.

I'd lift my eyebrows and mouth

When are we starting?

She'd shrug and mouth back

Have to wait til the harps finish.

Oh yeah, that makes sense

Did you bring your pitch pipe?

No, she said, then she lifted into view

a tiny hand held something

that had her beginning pitch recorded for her to listen to

Good luck hearing that over the hum of voices

A sweet friend knelt in the aisle beside me

saying

I want to talk to you about that trip coming up

Call me rude

I turned my face away from her

looked up at the podium area and said

Can't talk now

I need to concentrate

Moments later

she understood

Harps finished

Sister chatter began to lessen

I turned to look back

There Mary Jane was

on her feet

in full voice

THE SPIRIT OF GOD . . .

whispers quieted

I locked a tight focus on my sheet music

determined to come in on the exact right count

On my feet

belt it out

with the power of angels

THE LATTER DAY GLORY BEGINS TO COME FORTH . . .

We're in the zone

and it just got better and better

as the whole chorus joined

then the whole congregation of sisters

Amen and amen

The sweet element of surprise

Strength of voice and testimony

Beauty of glorious harmony

Tenderly thrilling

Totally satisfying

Ah . . . . .I was thankful for such an opportunity

I Noticed That, yes I did.