Then Sings My Soul…
I have always loved to sing. Even though I have a quiet personality, my vocal persona is loud. Just sit in front of me in church. You will know what I am talking about.
I grew up in a family where everyone likes to sing. My parents have great voices, and so do my siblings. When I was in 5th grade, my Dad started teaching me to sing the alto part. The first song I remember learning to sing harmony to is “Mansion over the Hilltop”. It had that easy 3rd below the melody all the way through. Once I learned to read music, I found myself always giving the harmony a try. Eventually, I could hear it, as easy as the melody.
My best friend, across the street, also loved to sing. From late grade school until graduation, we sang many duets together at church. During these years, there was always a place to sing. School choirs and special groups, church choirs and youth groups, I loved being a part of it all. I even started my college career wanting to be a choir director. (Although my secret ambition was to be a backup singer — a “doo-wop” girl).
Opportunities continued in adulthood. In school and college, out in the community, living at a camp and at church. Especially at church. Loving to sing and express worship to God is such a wonderful blessing.
When my kids were older I ventured back in to the workforce. I found myself in a career doing shift work, having no set schedule and where weekend work is requirement of the job. I could no longer be counted on, for practice or even performance due to my crazy schedule.
So, where does a person, who loves to sing, sing, besides the shower? Strangely, I have found my voice in exercise! Exercising has given me a place to open up and sing loudly (hopefully without driving my family too crazy.) A favorite CD, with great harmony and a closed door is all I needed. I even read that if you sing standing up and belt it out for an hour, you will burn 140 calories. And even more so if you move while doing so. And yes, at times I run out of breath doing it all. Performance grade, it is not. But, it rejuvenates both my body and soul.
And someday, maybe when I retire….My voice will still be in good enough “shape” to once again join with others in harmony. Until then, I think someone needs to add a decibel meter to my “FitBit” so I get credit, not only for my steps, but for my song as well.
Sunny Diversions 