Happy Birthday America

Anyone who knows my brother and I will tell you that he is the outgoing one. When we were little, he was always the one trying to be the center of attention and had no fear when it came to being in front of a lot of people. He also has a good voice, which made him the perfect fit for a children's choir looking for a boy soloist in a 4th of July musical at our church. He dressed up like a mouse, complete with the tail and had a speaking part and solo. For some reason, his solo and the chorus of that song has been sung by our family ever since. At random times of course, since my family is known for making everything refer to a song. But especially around the fourth of July.

I was looking for the song on google a little while ago and I can't seem to find it. So I will share the lyrics that I remember...

It was the year of one-and-seven-seven-six
July the 4th it caught our eye.
He wrote that nothing of importance seemed to happen today
Nothing of importance... Surprise!

Let us sing Happy Birthday America
Let us sing Happy Birthday USA
On your Birthday we all would like to say
Happy Birthday USA

The Importance of Not Locking Your Knees

I've been praying about joining the adult choir for some time now. It's taking that first step that is the hard part. Thankfully, I was invited by a neighbor to the kick off banquet about a week ago. The choir had off for about a month this summer and they were starting back. That's all it took... someone inviting me... to help me take that first step. I know that the Lord would have helped me through the not knowing anyone part of it, but it sure made it nice to have a friendly face around.

Today was my first Sunday singing in the choir at FBC Powell. We sang "The Lighthouse", which luckily for me is mostly the choir backing up a soloist since I had only one practice before this Sunday. The soloist was amazing!! And I really enjoyed being up in the choir loft, except for the sweltering heat and sweat rolling down my back. I usually am freezing in the sanctuary and was looking forward to having the robe to cover up with, however I didn't consider that there was not any extra air conditioning and a whole lot more hot lights up on the stage to make things about 100 degrees hotter!! I had to keep reminding myself to not lock my knees. This reminded me of a time when I was in high school that was in the adult choir at my church in Clarksville.

It was around the 4th of July and we were singing our special music which involved multiple selections mixed in with congregational singing. It was the middle of the summer and very hot, not to mention we were wearing choir robes which make it even hotter! My parents were also in the choir, mom an alto, dad a tenor, and me a soprano. I have a bad habit of locking my knees when standing for any length of time and this Sunday morning was no different.

During one of the congregational songs, I began swaying forward and backwards. I fell forward and knocked the little old lady in front of me in the back of the head with my music forward. She had a look of shock and disgust on her face and turned around to see me going backwards, thanks to the sweet ladies on the back row who were pulling my choir robe and me back safely to the ground. I had fainted. As quick as they could, they helped me to my feet and escorted me out all the while our music minister oblivious to what was going on behind him. Imagine his surprise when he turned around and half the sopranos were MIA. As word spread to my parents that I was the one who had passed out, they quickly made their way out as well. Since my dad was in the middle he had less to go to get to me, however my mother was the one you could see practically sprinting across the back row of singers to try and get to me. By this time, I was already out of the choir loft and in a room behind the sanctuary with some very nice ladies trying to make sure I was ok. The only thing I really remember about the whole ordeal was only wanting to see my mom and those well-intentioned ladies were in her way. In a matter of seconds, that seemed like hours, mom was there and everything was ok. I had just gotten too hot and left my knees locked. A good combination for passing out.

Mom and I went back out into the congregation, greeted from the pulpit by our music minister who made some comment about people doing anything to get out of singing. How do I know all of this, when I don't remember much of it? Videotape. Yes, the entire episode was caught on film.