“You brought music back into the house. I had forgotten.”
I used to enjoy singing and performing. We were in the midway through rehearsals for a concert at church that my mother-in-law and I were organising when Jessica died. The concert was cancelled. We’ve not done one since. I found singing difficult and resisted any suggestions of organising another concert. I wasn’t ready; I didn’t have time. And my am-dram days were most definitely over. I hadn’t done a show since 2010. I might consider doing a concert again one day but that was it.
Then I saw that a local group was doing the Sound of Music for their next show. My favourite musical. I thought of Sophie and her love of singing and dancing. Sophie, who is just the right age to play Gretl, the youngest of the Von Trapp children. And so I went to the launch evening to find out more about children’s auditions.
Fans of the Sound of Music will probably recognise the quote that I started this post with – the words that Captain von Trapp says to Maria when he hears the children singing for the first time. He’d shut music out of his life through grief. I can relate to that. It was something I’d struggled with too. But then at the launch evening, we sang through some of the songs that I loved from the show. I came out buzzing. I’d forgotten how much fun rehearsing for a show could be. It’s been so long since I felt this level of enthusiasm about anything. I’ll need to audition along with Sophie to be part of the show. Maybe my am-dram days aren’t over after all!
I needed that little boost this week. It’s been another tough one. Thomas is still not sleeping well. I’ve struggled with tiredness and grief. But that reminder of what it is like to do something I love has helped uplift me and brought some stillness in the storm.
Things that have made me smile this week
- Celebrating my friend Phil’s big birthday with an outdoor celebration and watching Sophie having fun helping the magician at the party.
- Visiting my mum on the way home from “Phil-fest”.
- Coffee with friends after church.
- Thomas sitting himself up for the first time and working out how to crawl backwards.
- Sophie’s joy at getting to have her umbrella when walking to and from school. One plus side of all the rain this week. I’m ready for some sunshine now though!
- Making a birthday card for Thomas to send to CBeebies. Can’t believe that my baby boy will be one in a few weeks’ time! Fingers crossed that the card gets shown on TV.
It’s lovely to read that you have refound your love of music and singing and how fitting that it should be that musical in particular about finding joy again after grief, definitely a sign from Jessica! Best of luck to you and Sophie on getting parts. Well done Thomas, he’s getting such a big boy now, he will be up and about before you know it.
Music can be so important in life and I’m glad you’ve found the joy it can bring again. How cute is Thomas sitting up, what a cheeky looking little boy, he’s scrumptious. Thanks for linking up to #wotw x
Good luck at the auditions to both you and your daughter! I hope you both get the parts you want. Being in “The Sound of Music” sounds like so much fun!
Oh I’m so glad to hear that you and Sophie are going to audition for the Sound of Music, what a lovely thing for you to do together. Strangely, my two are doing the Sound of Music with their drama group next month, they’re only doing the doe a deer song but Lia has a small talking part as Gretl as well as their little singing solos. They’re really looking forward to it and I can’t wait to go and watch.
Nat.x
I am so glad you have found your love of music and performing again! It sounds very exciting. Good luck with the audition!
Well done Thomas for sitting and crawling. He is just adorable! How is he nearly one already! x
Good luck with auditions! I admire anyone who is musical.. I can only listen to it 🙂
Sometimes you need time especially with the association with Jessica and the time of performances. Quite understandable but glad you have reconnected with love to the music and i am sure Jessica will be looking down and smiling about this X #wotw
The hills are alive … so good to see you enjoying the joy that music can bring … #WotW
I can so imagine that all the singing has given you a boost. Filling your lungs and letting it out. It is good for the soul if nothing else. I hope Sophie enjoys it as much and you can both have some special time together. Well done Thomas on sitting up and crawling. I bet he’s chuffed. Fingers crossed that the card is shown. #wotw
Good luck with the auditions. Fingers crossed. I hope Sophie enjoys it. Well done Thomas, what a wee star xx #WOTW