Singing with Feeling

Usually, that refers phrase to the feeling the musician is supposed to put into the song. I got to see twice tonight when the feeling was mainly on the part of the listeners.

1. Our parish's Young Adult Group (for which Izzy and I qualify less and less, ::smile::) went caroling at a local assisted living facility tonight. We sang for a large group of folks in a commons area, then sang as we walked through the facility, stopping for a mini concert whenever a door opened. Quite a few residents listened with wistful expressions, and thanked us profusely for singing to them. Others joined in, singing along and occasionally even strolling with us. It made the caroling really rewarding. 17 folks this year--nearly double last year's crowd.

2. After the caroling, we headed back across the river to our fair city (village) for cookies. The crowd for the gathering & caroling included a Hungarian couple who are new to our Parish. At one point I stepped outside and came back in to hear the wife singing a Magyar evening prayer/lullaby to a young lady whose aunt used to sing the same song to her. Given what we know of recent tragedies in this young lady's life, this song was an incredible gift. She cried on the shoulder of the woman serenading her; I cried watching this unexpectedly tender moment.

Finally, there was one really neat moment in the caroling/strolling, when I got to sing right next to G and our voices blended really well on a section of an old carol. It was wonderful to have that opportunity again.

Can't wait for Christmas Eve Mass--more opportunities to sing and to (it is to be hoped) pass my joy in the music on to others.