A Series of Moments

As I start explaining my story to others (sometimes even without crying), I find myself referring to a series of moments that all led to last Tuesday morning. Each one independently didn't seem terribly life-changing at the time, but the force of all these combined experiences has led me to my calling to be a UU Music Director. As Tandy so eloquently put it yesterday, "Ok, universe, I get it!"

Here are just a small selection of my moments...

 ... Several years ago now, my friend Gina complimented me after a solo at church by saying something to the effect of, "I can't believe you don't have a career in music." I think I told everyone I know about this comment. I felt it so deeply. I've received praise before, and since, but this compliment just felt more... important than the others. I treasured it.

... In high school, I started an a cappella group (InToneNation) with two of my friends. And they humored me by letting me direct the group. Twenty years later, the group still exists and recently hosted a reunion event. The stories I heard from alumni made me... honestly... jealous. David, one of the original group members, just changed his career from ESOL education to music education and took his first music teaching role. Rachel, another director for the ensemble after I graduated, is the Artistic Director for a choir in DC and persuing a DMA in choral conducting. Rachel was so encouraging when I told her I felt like it was maybe too late for me to do something professionally with music.

... This year's UU Musician's Network conference was one big series of moments.  Feeling at ease and like I knew what was going on.  People in workshops asking the same questions I would have asked.  Workshop presenters saying things I would say.  Working with people who said nice things about my vocal ability.  Watching my roommate and good friend Nancy be inspired to dance as we sang with a band in front of a congregation full of strangers.  The comment that pushed me over the edge was our band vocal leader saying, "We were all choir members once."

There are so many other moments, I wish I could name them all.  And so many people who have convinced me to try something new or encouraged me when I mentioned wanting to learn more.

Take Amanda, for instance, who partnered with me to create an ongoing monthly music-filled worship service.  And Wendel, who took time to fill in holes in my music theory knowledge just because I asked -- and continues to challenge me as both a friend and mentor.  But more on them in another post.

Ok, universe.  I get it.