Holding on to my high

I've had a really lovely day today. I was still on a high, after last night's amazing choir rehearsal, when I met a special pal this morning for breakfast. Karen was as attentive and enthusiastic as ever as I rambled on, very animatedly, about how awesome the rehearsal had been (which she already knew because she's not only my very special friend, she's probably the most faithful follower and regular commenter on my blog. You would maybe recognise her as my 'anon' friend as she, very early on, gave up on trying to work out the wonders of the Blogger commenting set-up and decided to remain 'anon' instead!). We did manage to squeeze in a good blether about other stuff, with some tears and laughter in between, but choir took up a fair chunk of the chit-chat! So, the birthday breakfast to start to my day was really lovely. Thank you my very special anon pal!

Lunch was great too. For Mother's Day this year, back in March, Gordon gave me a wee hand-written voucher that entitled me to a celebration lunch out with him after we'd both finished trying to lose a bit of weight. We've both finished trying to lose a bit of weight, and he's off school as his exams finished last week, so it was time to redeem my voucher! Gemma came along too and we had a really lovely, chatty lunch. Thank you Gordon!

Gemma and Gordon after stuffing ourselves at lunch!

Then, as if that wasn't enough to make my day perfect, we finished the afternoon off in absolutely glorious style at a concert in a very special place featuring a very special bunch of folk. The Church of the Holy Rude in Stirling, as I've mentioned in previous blog posts, was the site of our wee business's first 'proper' contract - way back in 1989 - not long after Alex had decided to set up his own stonemasonry business. Over the years since, Alex's carried out various bits and pieces of restorative works there and, my favourite bit of all, was asked to cut a plaque in the floor of the church to commemorate the crowning of King James VI. The plaque was unveiled by the Queen at a special ceremony in 1997, to which my favourite stonemason was invited along to. I remember being so very proud of Alex - as I still am - and it's a time-honoured tradition that if I'm in the Holy Rude I have to go and have a wee look at the plaque. It's not going anywhere, but it never fails to make me feel good that it's still there. The kids were mortified when I told them to sit down beside it for a photo, but it's essential to keep up that time-honoured tradition of embarrassing your kids at every opportunity... !

The special bunch of folk that we'd come to see in concert was the very same special bunch of folk that came along to our rehearsal last night. I can't think of a better setting for the beautiful voices that make up the Maryville College Choir. The cheers and applause that filled the church was a just reflection of their awesome performance. I'm fast running out of superlatives to describe this incredible choir, so I'll finish with a few photos and a wee video instead. The video's one that I'll always treasure; at the end of the concert, Stacey (the lovely choir leader), invited all of the Heart of Scotland members in the audience to come up and join them for their last song. It was a Benediction and I didn't have a clue what the words were or how it went. I'm probably the least religious person I know, but that doesn't stop me appreciating the beauty of the buildings that are built in the name of religion or the type of music that's traditionally sung or played in them. And, wild horses wouldn't have stopped me from accepting the invitation from our special new friends to join them in their special song at the close of their concert. It was such a poignant and lovely end to a really lovely day. And, although I'm not at all religious, I really did feel today - in my own way - blessed.

The rear of the choir!

Maryville's finest in their finest

Such a special choir rehearsal

One of the reasons I’ll probably never make it as a real writer is that I don’t have the vocabulary to describe the awesome things that happen in my life in a ‘proper’ writer way. I’m sitting here at the end of one of the most amazing nights ever and I’m thinking, ‘how do I record this on my wee blog without it sounding like I’m being a bit over the top about how totally fantastic and special a night that was?’

But I can’t. So, I won’t try. I’ll just write it, as usual, straight from the heart. And it’ll probably sound like I’m exaggerating. But I’m not.

We were joined at choir rehearsal tonight by the Maryville College Choir from Tennessee and it was just such a special experience. I’m not kidding; it comes way up amongst the top of my list of ‘best Monday nights ever!’ The Maryville College Choir leader – the lovely Stacey – had contacted one of our choir leaders – the lovely Jane – via Facebook a while ago, after watching the Heart of Scotland Choir version of ‘Flower of Scotland’ on Youtube. A connection was made, a ‘virtual’ friendship was born, one thing lead to another and the next thing we knew we were getting told that our ‘American friends’ were going to be joining us at rehearsal while they were over here in Scotland on tour. Now, the Maryville College Choir from Tennessee is made up of a large group of 18 to 30 year olds who audition for their choir; who can read music; who sing mostly gospel music; and are likely to be either a soprano, alto or tenor. The Heart of Scotland Choir from Stirling, on the other hand, is made up of a large group of 15 to, ahem, well, I’d rather not say how old year olds; who don’t audition for their choir; who mostly can’t read music; who sing mostly rock and soul songs; and are likely to be either a melody lady, low lady or an, em, man.

But, we came together in Cambusbarron Church tonight and we clapped each other in warm welcome; we listened to each other perform our very different type of choir music with a mutual respect, admiration and – on numerous occasions – in total awe of the talent and sheer beauty of the sound that was gently wrapping itself around us; we showed our appreciation of each other by clapping, cheering, dancing, crying (there was a lot of crying!) and shouting for more; we learned a very special song together – written by Annie, Jane and their Dad, Laurie – and produced the most amazing and special moment when we filled the church with its totally awesome and uplifting words and tune; and we all simply didn’t want to leave when rehearsal was over.

It was awesome. I could’ve listened to the youngsters from Maryville College for another few hours; they reduced me to tears with almost every song and I definitely had the ‘wee hairy hairy’s’ when we all sang together. There was lots of hugging, more tears, lots of gratitude and more mutual appreciation before we all headed off. Totally buzzing.

Gordon and I talked non-stop in the car on the way back home. One of the many highlights of the night for me had been watching Gordon do his thing brilliantly when he stepped up to sing solo in front of a large group of totally amazing singers who had just blown us away with their performance. He’s not often nervous, but Gordon had to sing with his eyes closed as he was frightened to look at the audience. He needn’t have worried though as he and his fellow soloist, Sasha, soon had our American friends standing up, clapping and dancing along!

It’s a few hours later and I’m still buzzing. I am so very, very lucky to be part of the Heart of Scotland Choir. Tonight was a brilliant reminder of that. I loved every minute of what turned out to be a very, very special night.

See, told you you’d think I was being a bit over the top! But I’m really not, honest. And, aw man, does it make me feel good.