The Music Man

Over the weekend we had the pleasure of seeing our daughter in her 5th musical performance since moving here almost 3 years ago. She was a member of the boys band in "The Music Man" and she made us so proud, not because it was a big part, it wasn't, but because she took her small part as seriously as if it were the lead. She is following her dreams and I couldn't be happier that they include acting and singing.

Paige was bitten by the bug in 5th grade when she was chosen to play Cinderella in "The Return of the Glass Slipper." Her friends convinced her to try out for a main part (all of the students were required to be in the play, at least as a chorus member.) The day of try-outs she got off the bus and when I asked her with a big smile how it went, she burst into tears! "It was terrible. I had to sing the boy's part and no one else did, and everyone else did really good, and I sounded really bad"...sob, sob, sob. This wasn't acting either, I immediately went into panic mode: "Oh please God, just let her get a small part that she can handle so that she won't be discouraged from putting herself out there again." A couple days later, when the parts were announced I waited again for the bus, on pins and needles. Somewhat timidly I asked her "So, did you get a part?" and she didn't say anything. Holding back a smile she went over to the couch and started to unload her backpack, pulling out a folder and on the front was labeled "Cinderella!" Me: "You got the lead!?" It's really hard to describe in words the swelling in my heart at that moment, I love to remember it.

Months (it seemed like it must have been months) passed and we tried to get Paige to practice her lines with us, or sing for us, with absolutely no luck. The closest we could get to hearing her rehearse was by sneaking up to the outside of her bedroom door and eavesdropping! I started to worry if it was all going to be okay. Never before had she sung a solo part, and I wondered how she would handle an audience, all that memorizing, and I wondered about her singing voice...absolutely nothing to go on here!

As in all great musicals, this one too had a happy ending. The ONE performance of "Return of the Glass Slipper" was perhaps the most special and memorable night of my life. Paige really was a princess in the ball gown that my mom made for her costume, and her acting and singing were unbelievably impressive. She really portrayed Cinderella's sorrow in her voice and expressions. All of the costume changes went smoothly. Her voice was steady and confident both while speaking and singing. And afterward, the little girls flocked to meet her on the stage just like the real Cinderella at Disney World! It was literally a magical evening and the stuff that dreams are made of!

In that same year, Paige and other 5th graders were invited to be the Oompa Loompas in the Middle School production of "Willy Wonka." So far, in middle school she has been in the productions of "Aladdin" and "School House Rock Live," and this most recent role where the middle school kids were invited to join the cast of the high school show "The Music Man." I hope that she will continue on with her involvement in chorus and drama, and someday enjoy another lead part. The pure JOY I saw on her face the other night as she belted out "76 Trombones" leads me to believe that she will.

Farewell to an Old Country Church

I may have been only five or so, but I still remember the big jar of pennies in the vestibule, and the guest register that my grandparents would let me "sign" when I came to church with them. On those Sundays, grandma Bettie stocked her pocketbook with different things to look at, which were always left a surprise until we were quietly seated. I would open it to find pens and pencils, tiny toys and games, or notepads to draw on, and, oh yes, a little baggie of cereal or some other treat!

We sat in the same place always, 4th pew back on the left of the sanctuary. I assume that's where the Clapp family sat for generations (see photo!) That's not the case these days; my family sits wherever we can find three spots, since the 10:30 service is often "standing room only." Which is the reason for the new church being constructed down the street. What a fantastic need for a church to have....the need for more space...growing room!

Kevin and I were awed on the first Sunday that PCC held Sunday school, as dozens of kids.....almost 100, filed past us to head off to classes (which we soon found out had overflowed to the parsonage next door for lack of classroom space!) We turned around, pleasantly surprised to see that, indeed, there were still plenty of adults left in the sanctuary to hear Pastor Wendell's sermon.

And so, it is the people that are the church not the building. Nonetheless, it will be hard for me to say goodbye to this place. The quintessential church; this building is rich with history, personal and public. Two congregations joined in the aftermath of a tragic fire, trials and triumphs in the pulpit, steeped with traditions like chicken barbeques and the (hello, 27th!) annual chicken and biscuit dinner being held here next month. And, my family is among countless that have celebrated weddings and anniversaries here, as well as mourned our loved ones.

It strengthens my faith to see this congregation hard at work together, toward a massive goal of building a new (also massive) church, and realizing the fruits of their labor. I am full of joy that God has showered them with His love and grace. That being said, I feel a deep, deep, humilty in my heart when I worship in this old church building, a place where my ancestors and their fellow Christians also prayed and praised God. Thanks to those believers, PCC has had a special place to grow. They planted seeds that most would not see harvested, seeds that are blooming in our congregation today.

When we left our first home, community, and church to move here this summer, Kevin, Paige, and I couldn’t have asked for an easier transition. What a blessing it's been to witness the energy and love for the Lord that flows from the newest members of our family in Christ. In addition though, there is an undercurrent of faith and commitment that seems to be infused in the woodwork, in the pews, in the very walls of this church. I close my eyes and I can feel it.

Soon enough, it will be time to say goodbye. And when we move with our new friends into a new place of worship, I’ll close my eyes in anticipation that God will again grant me that humility, that deep feeling that floods my heart at PCC today. And, I will always try to honor our heritage, taking a cue from my predecessors, planting seeds of faith that I hope will grow there for the children of our children…and their children too.

Falling down the Rabbit Hole

Having recently moved back to the town where my parents, and grandparents and generations of my family have lived, on the very farm where my dad and his dad grew up, I have been feeling very nostalgic and even a bit like Laura Ingalls. So, the other morning while I was walking out along the edges of corn fields, entranced by the sounds and beauty of nature all around me, I stepped in a gopher hole and fell right on my face. What a rude awakening. Luckily, (the first thing I thought, as I instinctively looked around) the only one there to see it was my dog.

Poor old girl, 86 in dog years, and she had done the exact same thing the day before. On that day, my daughter, the dog and I, had headed out to visit the men; my husband and dad, (Almonzo and Pa in my "Little House" analogy) splitting logs on the edge of our woods.

It was the most gorgeous day, breezy and bright. Paige led me around the trails in the little woods, I snapped a few pictures, and we even jumped two fawns that were so curious about us that they stayed around to watch us a little while, and listen to what we were saying (whispers about keeping the dog from chasing, and how I hoped that I could delete a few pictures on my camera and free up enough memory in time to get a shot of them.)

It was a really exciting and delightful walk, the only thing differentiating us from "Ma and Laura" was the absence of prairie skirts, and a basket packed with homemade cookies and sandwiches. And then on the way back, all of the sudden the dog falls on her face. That is an odd and frightening sight, but since she has no hands to break her fall, straight down she goes. Not hurt, thank God, just snapped us all back to reality, with our digi-cam, and sunglasses instead of sunbonnets.

There's no point to the story, or moral to my falling into the very same hole the next day. It's just a funny thing that happened when no one was looking. The hole was hardly visible, with long grass growing over it. Even though I knew it was there, having just thrust my foot down into it, I still had to go back and search it out. Once found, I dropped an ear of corn in it thinking to mark it for myself, or the next unsuspecting victim, but it was deep too, and the corn disappeared right down, like Alice falling down the rabbit hole.

Thoughts of Alice, the past and present, time and reality swirling in my head. Although my shin was badly bruised and throbbing, I tried not to let the pain distract me from being thankful for this place that is so familiar. It is established and beautiful, and how lucky we are to live here, enjoy the land, it's plants and animals and memories, and call it our home.

Just the same, I'll have "Manly" fill in the hole tomorrow.

e-world of possibilities

The vast internet is utterly amazing to me. Today I am dreaming about getting my new venture started and at the same time returning to my "roots." My husband, daughter and I have an amazing opportunity to move back to my home town after 20 years. This move is right around the corner...look for future entries during summer of 08. It will be so fantastic to be near my extended family and to re-discover friendships and places that I used to go. At the same time I am preparing to launch a business based on my "Big Idea." (shout out to Donny Deutsch!) Reading and re-reading some books on entrepreneurship and writing up my plan. Mostly dreaming, but also learning to create a blog and how to network online!