I SANG THIS WEEKEND!!
What joy it was to reunite with my dear camp friends for our 105th camp reunion. There was a fabulous talent show on Saturday night and some of my performing arts counselors and I sang a song that we had sung a few years ago, Play! From the musical, Finding Neverland. It celebrates the power of play and says that “the world is so mysterious and wild, when you start to see it through the eyes of a child.” How true.
What was especially joyous for me was I allowed myself to SING! I have been very worried about how this would go since I have lost a good amount of my hearing. I have totally lost the hearing in one ear and have lost some in my good ear as well. This had sent me into a very scary place earlier this summer. The thought of losing my hearing and losing my ability to experience and enjoy music was terrifying. Music has probably brought more joy to my life than almost anything other than my loved ones. From playing saxophone in the junior high band to performing in musicals throughout my life and then to singing with my beloved acapella group, Custom Blend for almost 12 years, I have experienced such love and community while sharing music. The Gospel Choir at Dartmouth brought me great joy when I was able to sing with them. And of course, camp is a community that sings daily. We sing at meals, we sing every morning when we gather for “assembly”. The soundtrack of the summer binds us together in such important and special ways.
So how fitting that it was at a camp event that I bravely let my voice shine. Not only did we sing at the talent show, but we had a small and mighty choir who sang in our final Sunday assembly by the shores of Lake Morey. You couldn’t have found a more beautiful spot to gather, reflect and to enjoy some lovely music. I have discovered that I need to place myself strategically so my good ear is next to the accompaniment, whether that be a piano or other singers. And while some things do not feel the same, I have a lifetime of muscle memory with my voice and my heart to inspire my singing.
We’ll see how far I can take my music in the future but for now, for this weekend, I am ecstatic to have been able to sing with friends and to feel the spirit move me.
I will share some of the song we sang today.
Another sun is rising in the sky
Another breeze is blowing down the lake
Can’t you hear the call of all that longs to be
In every single sacred breath you take.
Whatever makes an ordinary day
Turn fresh and new and beautiful to see
Well, it’s not the things that we’re so certain of
But chances that we take that make us free.
Aloha in the hills, Aloha in the skies,
Aloha in our hearts, Aloha in our eyes
And when at close of day,
That ol’ moon begins to rise,
We’ll bless this very day,
We’ll bless this day with thanks that we’re alive.
Written by the incomparable Biff Fink.
