They asked for a show of hands of those who were in attendance for the first time. I did not raise my hand because I have one of those very faint memories of my childhood when the folks dragged us kids out to the broadcast one morning when we lived in Sandy. I was in elementary school at the time. We are talking somewhere around 30 years ago. Wow. I was sitting here pondering the details of that day and thought I couldn't recall anything but actually I do. Today we were sitting in the balcony on the women's side of the choir. When I was a child we sat in the balcony as well on the men's side. We were a couple of rows up and towards the rear portion of the middle section - if that makes any sense. I don't remember much else other than we were supposed to be quiet.
I have this amazing ability to sleep anywhere at just about anytime. When I have to be reverent it becomes somewhat challenging to keep my eyes open. When I have to be reverent and listen to calming music it becomes even more challenging to keep my eyes open. At one point in the broadcast, I am ashamed to say, I woke up to Amy staring at me with her eyes wide open and a sly grin on her face. Look, I had no kids to worry about and the music was quite relaxing. I couldn't help it. So there it is, a history making show and I slept through a good portion of it. What a loser I am.
There are a couple of things that I want to note here. Prior to the broadcast starting we watched Mack Wilberg tuning up the Choir. This was amazing. He had a headset on with a microphone and as the choir sang he would talk to them. He could point out different sections of the choir that needed to give him a little more. He could point out a couple of members that were giving a little too much. When there was something that needed to be practiced again he simply mentioned where counted it and they were right there. The music didn't stop though, it just jumped right back to where he was referring. It was amazing to behold. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is filled with amazing talent and Mack Wilberg must have the most amazing ears for music that I have ever witnessed. It was very cool.
After the broadcast had concluded the choir stood and sang God Be With You Til We Meet Again. I was awake for this and I was feeling a bit emotional. That song has great meaning in my life. As they sang I thought about our friends at the Lunalilo Home in Hawaii Kai. There were many Sundays that my brothers and I were blessed to go there to administer the Sacrament. These people were always so grateful and always so happy to have us there. At the close of every meeting we would sing this song with them. I have loved it ever since and think about those experiences as I sing it or here it. Hearing this sung today by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir was a special thing and I am grateful for that. It really is a beautiful hymn with a beautiful message.
Our anniversary celebration with the folks was a great time. I thoroughly enjoyed this quick trip to Salt Lake. It was really neat to be there around Temple Square and to enjoy the area. It was great to be with my family who I love so much. Thank you to everyone for a great weekend.
I do have to share my snowball incident. Amy threw a snowball in our direction as we were getting in the car after our "betters win" sacrament meeting. I decided I was going to get her so I grabbed some snow and got a little closer (we were on the other side of the parking lot). In so doing I had this thought go through my head that I shouldn't throw it because I was not going to hit Amy but would likely hit Liana. I shrugged off that impression and went for it. Every time I have an impression like that and shrug it off I regret it. Such was the case today. I threw the snowball and watched as everything went into slow motion and that thing changed course in mid air and nailed Liana right in the ankle. I tried to warn her but it was to late. I am just glad Liana is a good sport and that she has equally as bad aim as me because whatever she threw in retaliation missed. She did milk it a bit with a fake limp for my benefit as I was apologizing. Have I mentioned previously in this post that I am a loser?
It was great to come home and to be with the kids. They had a great time with Shelina and Sandy and I appreciate their coming up very much.
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