Last weekend I found out that my former choir teacher, G, had suffered a brain aneurysm and was in the hospital. What a flood of memories that brought. I remembered the encouragement he always gave me with my singing, the oasis that was the choir room during my high school years, the experiences I got to have at such a young age... The most vivid memory for me though was after I left high school. I was at college and still lacking confidence in my singing voice, I decided not to audition for any groups. I was in the "catch all" choir and we were singing for the director to be placed in our proper sections. The director put me into a small audition choir, there were only 3-4 people per section, and complimented me (what I felt was a lot) on my singing voice. I remember contacting Gary and sharing my news, I told him I was surprised. His response, "I'm not". It seems like such a small thing, but meant so much to me, and still does. He had confidence in me, still such a shy person, and simply by being himself he shared that with others...what a great gift to have. We lost touch, but I never forgot him. I am sad that I never told him what a wonderful influence he was on me, I really should tell his wife and sons. He was a great man and an honor to know.
My dad's brother is in the final stages of lung cancer. The call came last week that they were looking at a month; the call came two days ago that they weren't expecting him to make it past the weekend. My dad had just taken the time and opportunity to get to know his brothers in recent years, especially this year. I never knew this part of the family, and there were so many family secrets that kept us all apart. So many walls have been broken down, and I will not get the chance to know my uncle. He has been married almost 40 years, my heart hurts for his wife. His children are my age, his grandchildren Delanah's age. I see how much DG loves and cherishes her Papaw, I am so saddened for the grandchildren not getting the chance to really know their grandfather. And my cousins...I can't imagine losing my dad right now, I can't imagine losing him ever.
I wrote a card to my Aunt Karen and family. I never know what to say in a situation like this, but I felt the need to let them know that I was thinking about them and praying for them. I know that for G and my uncle their time of peace is coming. What a joyous reunion they will have...but what about those left behind? My heart is hurting for those I've never met...it's going to be a tough weekend.
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