Hope

There are times in your life you want to run away as fast as you can to a corner that hopefully will make you invisible.  You do not want to face the hard decisions of life.  A job loss, an impending end of life, a decision of further education that will leave you in debt or maybe having your car break down when you have only five dollars in the checking account.

Any of these would leave us gasping for air, hoping for the rich aunt or uncle to bail us out or maybe a time to revisit the far away thought of becoming an organic farmer.  The thing is that all of us, every one of us have been there and gasped for air.  But we hold on because we are a species of hope and miracles.  Whether it be religious or mystical it is in our soul to look forward and hope for better days.  

Violins of Hope

It is the story of Amnon Wienstien, a second generation violin maker, who devotes his life to making and repairing violins, some  have been from Holocaust survivors and victims.  By the grace of David Russell, Professor of Violin at UNCC this incredible program was brought to Charlotte.   As I worked the orchestra level I listened in the darkness of the theater with tears in my eyes.  This beautiful music washed over me and brought me back to a time when music was so important us during the last months with Joe.

His was the  "On the Go" number  three.  The music he would fall to sleep every night,  a combination of Lord of the Rings, Cry, Yo-Yo Ma, and John Williams.  He'd put on his ear phones welcoming the comfort of his playlist.  Then when that was not possible we would play his music as he would slip away.  

The power of the violins consoled so many during a dark time  and the power of Joe's playlist soothed his soul, and ours, during our darkest time for our family.  

I have preserved his "Go To " playlist and when may heart is at the breaking point I revisit it and feel it's calming effect.  Thank you Joe for sharing and leaving behind this precious gift.  

William Shatner

For Mike's birthday I gave him tickets to William Shatner. He has been a long time fan since the Star Trek days and beyond to Boston Legal. But we did not know that he did many more films, Broadway and TV shows in between.

It was a one man show starting out being very funny but then in the end it took a serious twist. It ended up with a very simple message..if you spread love you will receive love. Forgive and forget. Something for all of us to think about.

Newsletter

I was asked to write an article for the Blumenthal volunteer and paid ushers newsletter last fall about sending Tony and David off to college. They were intrigued that identical twins would venture to such far distances away from each other to pursue their passions. I wrote about packing the suits for David and the winter clothes for Tony. I never mentioned Joe, but they deposited themselves in the exact time and place because of Joe.

Most of my co-workers do not know about Joe. It is a timeline that started after Joe passed away. But I know in my heart Tony and David gobbled up the opportunity to be true to their goals for one person who showed them the way. That was Joe.

Easter Sunday

Vanilla hats, pale green ties, white shoes, full crinoline skirts and green grass in the bottom of the Easter baskets. Equals a child's Easter. A grown up Easter is giving a lily in memory of your son, a mother, a father, a brother, a sister or someone close to you. Remembering them in the season of hope and rejoicing a new life.

This season shines down on us as we love the ones with us and miss those who have gone before us. We are umbrellaed by their grace and live forward to the day we will be reunited.

Happy Easter.