yeah, and I got an e-mail last month, annoucing the kid’s birth….so, i gave Wes a little grief about using the term “news scoop” on the last voice mail he left for me…
I miss my choir from Newman Hall - the Catholic parish at Berkeley. It was a such sweet and positive group of people. We weren’t about being the best singers/soloists/whatever….we did our music ministry because we really loved being with each other in God’s house.
After my trauma….God and I were not on good terms….I told Felix, the choir director, that I would need some time before I could sing again. took me almost six months before I could sing with choir again….before that, I would try to go to mass and sit out in the congregation. It was hard because I couldn’t stop crying and I couldn’t stop feeling so ashamed of myself. I felt so tainted and it felt like God let this happen to me…
Eventually, I was able to go to church without crying…..even though I didn’t sing with choir, Felix and Lara made sure I got their evites to choir dinners….they wanted to make sure I knew I was welcome. Nobody ever pushed me for more information…..only Felix and Lara knew what happened….but the cool thing about the Felix 5 Choir (our little nickname) - everyone was simply happy to see me, when they could see me….it warmed my heart that they still asked how my brother was doing….he hasn’t been in choir since he graduated from Cal in 2002. It was a wonderful family and I loved them very much.
I’m in choir at Sheil - and people are cool. I’m a little shy, since I think I’m the only grad student for the 5pm choir. Still, I like being able to give up this time and effort to church. Folks are very supportive and they don’t push….they simply accept you for being you.
It’s rare to find these safe places and I cherish them.
I miss home.
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