#SOL18 It's in the Doing

"Alexa, play Hallelujah Chorus," I instruct, washing my hands. It's Christmas Eve day. Megan and I are trying to bake sugar cookies for Santa Claus. As I knead the powdery, crumbly dough (something has gone wrong with these cookies, I fear), the first notes start and soon I hear "Hallelujah! Hallelujah!"

 I'm back in high school, in a green robe, on risers in the auditorium, singing my Alto part in our holiday concert. 

 "For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!" 

 It is 22 years later and I still remember my part. I remember the Sopranos part, too and where the Altos came in again and when we harmonized. 

 "And he shall reign forever and ever....And he shall reign forever and ever.....King of Kings and Lord of Lords. King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And he shall reign forever and ever...."

 I attempt to make balls of dough. Megan squishes a Hershey Kiss in the middle. I'm singing and rolling and squishing and remembering how even though I was not a good singer at all, I loved being part of the chorus. I loved singing the Hallelujah Chorus at every holiday concert. I don't remember many specific lessons from my days in school but I remember almost every line of the Hallelujah chorus. 

 The cookies? They were a major fail. Somehow they flattened and leaked to the bottom of the oven. I apologized to Megan and Alex and said we would find other cookies we could leave for Santa tonight. 

 My #onelittleword for 2018 was "Do." It is in the doing that memories are made. 

 Sometimes it's being in a chorus and learning a challenging song which lives in your memory forever. 

 Sometimes it's baking cookies with your little girl and completely messing it up. 

 Sometimes it's putting one foot in front of another when your whole world feels upside down- making the appointments, driving on the highway, waiting in the offices, hoping.

 Sometimes its stopping to notice and appreciate all that is right and good and breathing it in while it lasts. 

 Merry Christmas to those who celebrate and peace and love for all of us. 

Comments

  1. Diane AndersonDecember 25, 2018 at 6:49 AM

    Merry Christmas! That music is so inspiring... and baking cookies together- the best, even if the cookies don’t turn out the way you expect!

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousDecember 25, 2018 at 10:50 AM

    I had fun reading about the different doings you've woven together here and the lessons that came with them. Hallelujah for slice-of-life stories :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. JoanneDecember 25, 2018 at 11:44 AM

    It is funny how that music sticks with you. I was signing along as I read your piece. I also was not a great singer but love to sing that Chorus. Thanks for sharing the thoughts!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Trina December 25, 2018 at 2:57 PM

    This is a beautiful post. You are right-music sticks...and I bet your daughter will most remember the time she spent with you!

    ReplyDelete

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