Christmas 2010

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It's been a quiet week at Gracerock, here on the edge of reality. Another Christmas has come and gone. As the years roll quickly past, so does this special season of joy and tradition and good will. When I was a kid, it seemed like Christmas took FOREVER to arrive. And now, all that is required is a quick blink, and it's gone.

I think that we've zeroed in on the best recipe for a peaceful Christmas. We have the Georgia Tech football team to thank for their assistance in formulating this recipe. You see, one of the penalties for having a mediocre, yet not horrible football season is that you're still "bowl eligible", but for one of the lesser bowls. So the Yellow Jackets are playing Air Force at the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, LA on December 27th. This required that the marching band depart Atlanta in the wee hours of December 26th. And thus, Chris had to fly south mid evening on the 25th.

As luck would have it, Atlanta had it's first white Christmas since Chester Arthur was in the oval office. Consider the hype on our local news when snow is imminent - and snow is a regular feature of our winters. Now imagine the pure exhilaration felt by millions of folks across the south at the prospect of a once in a lifetime event. While we're truly happy for them, our selfishness had us focused mostly on flight cancellations and alternative arrangements.

So you're asking, what is that recipe for the perfect Christmas? Quite simply, moderation and preparation. We knew that time with our little family would be limited, hence we were intent on getting the best quality from our time together. For example, instead of wrapping at 10pm on Christmas eve, Sharon took the wild initiative to wrap gifts several DAYS in advance. DAYS. Why didn't we think of this sooner? Instead of hosting Christmas dinner at Gracerock (which would be incompatible with driving to BWI), we oped for Christmas brunch. Non-Gracerock Forrence family - don't be shocked if we make the same offer next year.

Christmas Eve was perfect. A quiet candle-lit dinner and a nice glass of wine imported from Atlanta - purchased from Kroger with Chris' bonus card. After singing at the vigil mass, we stopped by Cathie's for another glass of wine and dessert - then home by ten. Shortly thereafter, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

Christmas day. A blur. The traditional stockings, gifts under the tree, ear to ear grins, and new this year - no one received underwear. All good! Not only did Chris' flight south actually arrive almost 30 minutes early, he had band friend Sarah on the flight for a bit of camaraderie.

Without a doubt, the highlight of the day was the world debut of Chris and Alex playing together musically. The guys have always gotten along with good humor and civil sibling rivalry. And they've both been musically talented in their own way - Chris on flute and piano, Alex on guitar and drums. Together they'd make a fine quartet. For whatever reason, making music together has never been high on either of their priority list. So they never have played together. Ever. However, at Sharon's request, Chris sat down at the piano and Alex brought down his guitar. Neither had the benefit of neither sheet music nor advance practice. Granted, I may be biased, but I thought that the result was quite good. And not a better song could have been chosen. And Sharon had camera at ready to catch the big event:






Now Christmas is past. As is Boxing Day. We think about Christmas days past - John Hasty (who has been with us more Christmas days than not) helping as we put together toys in the wee hours. And JoAnn and Nadine singing around the piano. And the years that Sharon and I drove from Emmitsburg to Severna Park and back on Christmas day. It's not that we rank our Christmas memories, but rather, we add them to the treasure trove that is life. Even the year that Sharon and I were both so sick that we could hardly move - even that year is remembered fondly - even though I haven't enjoyed cherry cheesecake since.

So back to normal life for a couple of days. Chris will return on Wednesday for another week or so. Alex is itching for the dorms to reopen and his college friends to return. And me... I'm just taking in each moment and savoring it. As it should be.

Merry Christmas to all. And to all, a good night.


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Flash Mob in Hagerstown

It had been thirty years since I last sang Handel's Hallelujah Chorus as a part of an organized group - Christmas of 1980. Until yesterday.

You may have seen the YouTube video of a Flash Mob singing the Hallelujah Chorus - a very cool video of some very talented vocalists. If you haven't seen the video, search for it - it's worth the effort. So, at the invitation of St. Marks Church in Lappans, a group of some 150 vocalists gathered at the food court at the Valley Mall in Hagerstown to somewhat replicate the effort. Representing St. Joe's were Mike, Bev, Sr. Mary Fran and myself. Bev had made us a photocopy of the music and a CD with our individual part.

As I mentioned earlier - it had been thirty years, so I practiced. In the circumstances of a totally unrehearsed performance, there are certain expectations. First, I knew that it wouldn't be anywhere near as good as the YouTube video we had all seen. Second, who knows if the person you're standing beside will know the music or be able to count as required (and this prediction came true as heard in at least one recording of the event). With no "director" to watch, everyone will certainly be doing their own thing when we hit the fermata at the end.

At 11:30 the food court began to fill with folks young and old. The instruction was to wear red or green under your coat and, when the music began, to take off your coat, stand up and sing (easier said than done when the musical intro is only four or so measures long). They were going for the element of surprise. Well, a room full of secret agents we weren't. You've never seen so many lost-looking souls, wandering around in their red sweaters carrying their full length copy of the Messiah. Fortunately, Mike had been invited by Michelle, the music director at Williamsport High, to share her table closer to the center of the action. And, as it turned out, Michelle not only knew her part very well, but wasn't shy about it. Practicing against the soprano part paid off.

And then it happened. At noon the music started and everyone sang. While they won't be inviting us to Carnegie Hall anytime soon, it was a truly special experience. And I truly hope they do it again next year.

Here is the best YouTube that I've found for the event. If you look - there's a guy holding a speaker on his head. Mike B is just to the right and I'm just to the left.

The Best way to Spread Christmas Cheer...

Is singing loud for all to hear! Yes, Buddy the Elf said it best.

In December 2004 I put together the booklet below - which is simply a compilation of popular Christmas and winter song lyrics. Every year I find it and spread some cheer - even if it's only in my office with the doors all shut.

Christmas Lyrics Booklet

So open it. Print it (all 15 pages). And leave it on the coffee table where it is easy to pick up and sing a song out loud... for all to hear.

December...

Incredible as it seems, December is upon us. Today is already the second Sunday in Advent. And while this is generally a very busy time, I am absolutely determined to not allow it to be a stressful time!

Tomorrow brings two big events. First is the Frederick University (FU) Student Art Show where my darling has both a photo - The Eternal Scribe (tombstone featuring an angel photographed at the historic Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta), and her Water Bottles are for Drips poster. Maybe I'll post both of these when the copyright expires - unless I can get the author's permission. Sharon and I have a date to stroll thru the gallery around noon.

Tomorrow evening is the annual Emmitsburg Christmas celebration. Every year this celebration reminds me of a song that we sang in high school choir called "Christmas in a Small Town". The celebration begins with tree lighting ceremony at the community center with a short speech by the mayor. Fortunately, there is a direct correlation between the temp/wind chill and the duration of speech. Then the party moves to the Carriage House Inn, where hot dogs and hot chocolate are the main faire (two of the four major food groups). Hay rides, live nativity including the sheep, bonfire in a barrel, more hot chocolate. Various choirs from local churches, the Mount, Daughters of Charity and a smattering of other musicians perform. You get the idea. Christmas in a Small Town.

And for the umpteenth time, the St. Joseph's Sunrise Singers will be among the groups performing. We've dusted off a couple of the old standards (it's great having standards to dust off) for the event. Sorry Chris, no "Pinecones & Holly Berrys/ Beginning to look a lot like Christmas" - we opted instead for "We Need a little Christmas/Deck the Halls". And while this really requires a separate blog, I will say that this is our 20th Christmas singing together - where were you and what were you doing 20 years ago?

However, even with all of these, the realities of December remain. Last year we cut down five sizable trees along the drive so they didn't fall on the house. In September we had more wood in the shed then at any time in the past. And now we've burned thru a third of it - and it is not yet officially winter! So I've walked the woods scoping out the ready-to-burn stuff. For some reason, Chris & Alex don't want to quit school in order to come home and cut wood. Just shows how much smarter they are than their father!

And finally, a sign of the times. Every year St. Joseph's Church sponsors several families at Christmas. A tree is erected at the altar and is adorned with tags that specify a Christmas request for each sponsored family member. There are no Yu-gi-oh cards or legos or anything "fun". There are requests for laundry detergent, underwear and socks. These are folks that live here in Emmitsburg - and I can assure you that we have no monopoly on folks that need real assistance this year. So, when you're out buying that 56 inch television to replace the scrawny 48 inch television that you already own, or you're at a fine restaurant eating a meal that will be gone within the next day, think about your neighbors and how you could make a real difference. No, you can't provide relief to everyone who needs it - but for the neediest, a gallon of laundry detergent is significant. Please... do what you can.