Riding the Whirlwind

The last few days have been a whirlwind.

Last November I wrote about my son making District Choir and being an alternate for State Choir, both of which are incredible honors and opportunities. District Choir was in early December before the season swept us away, while State Choir was scheduled for February. So February is almost gone and with it State Choir possibilities.

Or so we thought.

Wednesday night I arrived home from my own choir rehearsal to find a message from my son's high school choir director. A quick return phone call confirmed that a last minute cancellation had come in from (it just so happens) a first tenor. Come to find out, my son wasn't just a high alternate on the list but the first alternate on the list for a first tenor position. We started scrambling and were up until nearly midnight trying to get everything together.

Yesterday morning rehearsals began (thank God nearby) and went until late. This morning he left before 7:30 to get to the rehearsal venue and will be rehearsing throughout the day until 9:30 tonight. Then Saturday morning we go early again before their one o'clock performance that afternoon.

I'm about to burst at the seams for this kid. What an honor it is (and it doesn't hurt that this pretty much guarantees him an in-state scholarship). I've been telling practically anything that walks and breathes the last couple of days.

I also find it interesting that it just so happens the one student who has to cancel, also happens to be a first tenor, and that my son just happens to be the first alternate and that we are close enough that the last minute machinations don't really mess up our schedule. Do you believe in coincidence?

Me neither.

I've always told my son that when opportunities come we need to be ready to drop the things we're holding so we can grasp what God is handing out in that moment. Otherwise all too soon it will pass and we'll be left wondering, "what if?"

So give me the whirlwind. All we've gotta do when it passes by is grab and hold on tight.

Into The Fire

Life is about to get insane this week. I apologize now if I'm unable to keep up with the blog during this time.

Out of the frying pan and into the fire - finished with Thanksgiving and now the Christmas play production is this week. We're having full runs, tech rehearsals, and dress rehearsals all week. First performance is Friday night.

After church today was set-up. It's always neat getting to see all the pieces come together. Was a little surprised there were so few who showed up, but it made it all the more fun - at least that is what my son thought. However, after four hours we had to step away and drive on home. They were getting the final set pieces into place so that tech can work out the lighting issues during the day tomorrow. Then we'll have our first big run-through tomorrow night.

The days will be long. The nights longer. It will be so nice when it is all said and done. That satisfied feeling is always a tad bittersweet.

What in the world will I do with myself once this is finished?

Sure I'll figure out something - I always do!

Gettin' Interesting

Tonight was the final play rehearsal before adding the choir. They'll come in next week.

This might just get interesting.

There's all sorts of music cues and timing issues that have to be spot on. Of course, we haven't had the opportunity to work out any kinks. That's where Monday comes into play. Rehearsal is only supposed to last for two hours. I've a feeling it could go a bit long.

Those of us in the cast know just how important bringing the two components together is going to be. Don't think those in the choir have a CLUE! Plus once the sets go up we won't be able to cheat and watch each other. That's for the tech crew to worry about when they come in the following rehearsals for production week.

It may be dicey. It may not be pretty. But you know what? Every single play or musical I've ever been in, no matter how bad it may have been right up to performance, has always turned out just fine.

There's always a first time for everything though!

Enough Said

Well we finished up with the first run-through of the final scene tonight.

Gosh, I tear up easy during this thing - even if it is only rehearsals!

The final scene encompasses some sad goodbyes, letting go of dreams, and accepting the hard spots in life even when we don't understand why God allows them. The sister to my character has to say goodbye to a man she didn't realize she loved until he was gone - off to war. My character gets a telegram from the war department.

Enough said.

But even in the midst of the sadness and fear of the unknown, a ray of sunshine comes strolling in.

I'll leave it at that.

For those of you in the area, you're just going to have to take time out of your busy schedules the first weekend of December to come and see how it all turns out. Yes, Brian, it is in a church but this isn't heavy-handed. It has some very real moments that relate to what we see on the news even today.

And it even bears relavance to the world where it was 2,000 years ago. Humanity - we've changed so little in our years on this earth.

Enough said.