Down’t the church

Every summer, Ethel’s “invites” me to play at her church. The exchange usually goes something like this…

Ethel: “So, there are two dates you can play down’t the church this summer. You pick.”

Me: “OK.”

Ethel is small, but she must be obeyed.

The church is half a block from my house.
I can see the entrance to the parking lot from my front step.

Still, I have to drive the half block because I just can’t haul everything in one walking trip. Every summer, Ethel laughs about this.

This year, however, she mixed things up a little bit. The exchange went something like this…

Ethel: “Why don’t you play down’t the church in August. And I think it would be nice if you sang, too, like you do in your concerts.”

Me: “OK.”

So today I got up early, warmed up my voice while I got ready (disturbing the cats, who usually don’t hear me speak for HOURS after I get up). I packed the harp, bench, music stand, music bag and coffee into the car. Drove for exactly 35 seconds. Got a prime parking spot. Many church members acted as roadies, carrying said bench, music stand, music bag and coffee and helping me set up at the front of the church.

It was a lovely service. The church was full to the brim. A baby was baptized. Children were happy and wiggly.

I played the special music and when I was done the wiggly little boy sitting in the pew in front of me turned around and gave me “5.” Pastor Bart said during his sermon, “Ethel, we are so glad you’re Amy’s neighbor.” One man complimented me on my “fine singing voice.” He said, “And I wear a hearing aid, so I would know if you’d have missed a note…and you didn’t.” Clapped me on the back.

Ethel hugged me and said, “Thank you.” I turned my face away so she wouldn’t see the tears in my eyes.

Reversed the loading process with the same kind roadies, drove the 35 seconds home.

Then Ethel took me out for breakfast.

She drove and I got a cardio workout without even leaving the car.
Whew.

There are no coincidences, really. How do I know? The reading for the day was Psalm 133:
“How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live in unity.”

Amen.