Dan

Dan
Dan Gisvold at Bear Creek

Saturday, April 9, 2011

The Encore

Tonight was concert night. It was the first concert since Jed's mom had passed. It was the first concert in the Mission since Dan had died.

Jed and I had talked about how strange it was that his mom and Dan had become friends the night of our Christmas concert. His mom was so upset when Dan passed.

It was very hard for Jed to be there. But he got into his spot and he sang. And I got into my spot and I sang. He was thinking of his mom and I was thinking of Dan and his mom.

We made it all the way through the program. We were enjoying the performance. We were singing well.

But VAE has a tradition.

The ENCORE.

Our director used to say "we will sing you one more song and then you really must go home." Tonight he changed his language a little.

He went to the microphone and said the he wasn't going to name people because it could cause some tears but that members of VAE had suffered losses of loved ones this year and the encore was a benediction for them. 

He wasn't just talking about Jed and me. There are at least 3 other people that have lost brothers, parents, and other relatives in the last few months. It has been devastating.

Gary acknowledged all of us. And then we sang.

"The Lord Bless You and Keep You" by John Rutter.

It is really hard to sing on key when you are crying.

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