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Musical Blessing

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Over the past couple of years, people have complained that my blog posts are too happy.  It makes them feel bad, and for that, I feel bad.  I never write to brag, or boast, or make anyone feel bad.  I write because "my cup overfloweth".  My life is so blessed, and I feel that I need to publicly thank my Heavenly Father for all that he has given me.  Yes, I feel gratitude for even the smallest things, but I can't help it.  Life is a blessing.

I am so thankful for music.  Because Anna is here with us this weekend, I arranged for us to perform a musical number at church tomorrow.  I asked a good friend of mine, Claudia, who also happens to be an amazing cellist to help me find a good musical number.  In the end, she found an arrangement of "Beautiful Savior" which could be voiced for a clarinetist, two violas, a cello and ... me!  Today, everybody showed up at our house for rehearsal, and I was so happy to hear all those beautiful sounds that wouldn't typically play in that particular arrangement.

Here's my funny friend, Claudia, who joked that she likes to be "surrounded" by music.
Yeah, she really just needs to update her version of Finale!

Then, after a very tiring day, Anna told us that she was going to practice in the other room.  What a delight to sit here and just listen.  I know just about every horn orchestral excerpt from Mark playing in the house for years, and now I know every note of every piece the girls are playing.  Having Anna here, just practicing, feels like my own private concert.  New music, beautiful music, peaceful music.

I'm thankful that I have heard children practicing music in my home for past 15 years.  It started with Ethan on piano, and it has included two pianists, one hornist, two violins, one viola, and lots and lots of singing over the years.  I know the kids haven't enjoyed having to practice, especially when they were young, but I love it.  I hope it continues for the rest of my life.  Pure joy.

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