A well loved member of our congregation died yesterday and she was a big supporter of all music. Marian enjoyed the duets Margaret and I played each Sunday and always told us how much she appreciated us. Her death was unexpected and I am needed badly at this funeral. Margaret is having a medical procedure on Friday that has been scheduled for a long time so she won’t be there. That means me playing all the preludes, the congregational singing, accompanying the solos and duets and the postludes. The funeral is Friday morning and I’ll be searching for requested music and then practicing it for the next two days. I’m trying not to panic.
Tomorrow afternoon I’m going to read Oh, Susannah! to the residents at Concord Care and then Becky will sing Oh, Susannah! with them. Tomorrow night is choir practice.
Too windy again today to work outside – except for filling my water jugs with rain water from the barrel. I’m set till spring, I think. There will be no mineral build up in my plants since I can water with rain water all winter.
Discouraging – and there’s more on the ground by now.
So sorry about your friend Mary.
You can pull it together. You will shine. Have another ice tea and relax.
Kitty….adorable.
Shirley from Oregon
I’m back for a little while. My husband passed and I’ve been too sad to comment.
Life is getting back to a new normal. I went to jail and hung out with the felons. I do enjoy that. They “can’t wait to get out and make lots of quilts “.
Mary, no one will notice if you hit a wrong note. Playing from the heart is all that matters.
Those are a lot of water bottles…and only half of them. Wow
Hello to all
So sorry to hear about your hubby. Take good care of yourself!
jo, i’m sorry for your loss. you are missed when you don’t pipe in. prayers for strength. patti in FL
Jo, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your husband. It must be such a difficult time for you. Take care.
Jo, I’m so sorry to hear of your husband passing. I’m glad you can find solace by being with your friends at the jail. It says a lot of your kind heart when you find peace in helping others. It’s wonderful to hear that the ladies have quilting to look forward to as they begin a new chapter of their lives as you are also beginning a new chapter. I always enjoy your comments. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Mary, I know you’ve got this! I’m sure prayer will lead you to the perfect comforting music as you play for your friend who enjoyed your contribution to the service each week.
Jo – I’m so happy to have you back!
Jo, It will be a huge adjustment in your life so stay strong. Know that thoughts and prayers are coming your way.
Mary, The prior comments are correct. Take a couple days off the blog and concentrate on what you need to do.
Jo, so sorry to hear of your husband’s passing. All you can do is take one day at a time. The holidays will be tough but I’m praying for peace, comfort and strength for you and your family. I always love hearing your stories of the women at the jail learning to quilt. Now they have something to look forward to.
I am thinking of you. This is a tough time. Remember, don’t think of “shoulds” that you could be doing. Just breathe and be kind to yourself.
I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of your husband. Thinking of you. Also, do you need anything for your quilting group at the jail? I would be happy to send some things along to you.
My sympathy. So sorry.
Keeping busy with thing you love is good.
Jo – I , too, am so sorry to hear that your husband passed. We do enjoy reading your comments. You do a great work with the girls at the jail. God bless you.
We all send our sympathy to you. So sorry.
So sorry, Mary. Praying for you and calming thoughts to see you through this. You need another iced tea….. thanks so much for the eyeglass case tutorial 😻🥰!
I believe you’ll do a fine job with all that music, Mary. You can do it. Blessings to Margaret.
mary, i’m sorry for the loss of your friend. your playing will be as beautiful as always. just imagine your cohort is there playing also. it will help with her surgery. gracie looks cute hiding with the plant. patti in FL
Gracie is so beautiful!
Jo, I’m so sorry you lost your dear hubby. It must have been very sudden because I don’t recall you ever mentioning him being ill. I pray for peace and comfort for you in the days ahead. Mary, I’m so sorry about the loss of your dear friend at church. You’ve played music alone for special events before and have done it wonderfully. Just imagine that this time you are playing only for your friend and no one else. It will be your gift to her. Sending prayers for both you and Jo. Jeanne in Co.
Jo, so sorry about the loss of your husband. You have been missed on the blog. May each new day bring you strength and comfort.
Mary, prayers to you as you prepare the music for the funeral of your friend. It will be a treasured gift to her family.
I’m sorry for your church family’s loss. I understand that feeling of being used to having someone to share the responsibilities with and then learning you’re going “solo.”
Mary, Sorry to hear of your friends’ passing. I’m sure you will do just fine, you always do! Have fun reading your book, I’m sure it will be enjoyed. Remember Phil. 4:6 Do not be anxious for about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God.
Jo, I am sorry to hear about your husbands’ passing too. I hope he didn’t suffer long, I don’t remember you saying anything about him not being well. Trust in the Lord always, He will make your way straight.
I will be praying for both of you.
Hi Mary, sorry to hear about your church friend and Jo,s husband, prayers for you both. Everyone seems to be getting the photos except me for the last 3 days, l will see if my son can sort it out, or try google tonight. Got to go, Bella wants to be put on the bed!Take care everyone, best wishes from Sandy
Yay! It worked using Google to see photos!
Mary, you got this!! So sorry to hear about your friend.
Mary,
I’m so sorry to hear about your friend. It sounds like you and Margaret were a huge blessing to her. I’m sure your send off for her will go beautfully.
Mary you will be playing for the choir of angels who will be greeting your beautiful friend in heaven. What a wonderful send off!
She was a great lady. I bowled and played cards with her. You are going to be busy, but you’ll do a great job Mary you always do. She’s with a Allen now.
Jo, I have been thinking of you and I am deeply sorry you lost your husband. My sincere sympathy and prayers to you and your family. Glad you have it in you to go to jail and be a bright spot to their lives.
It’s so hard to deal with an unexpected death and then take on your role providing comforting music but I know you can do it Mary. You and Becky will certainly brighten the day for those folks at the care center reading and singing to them today and that’s what it’s all about when we give of ourselves.
Mary I am sorry for the loss of your church friend. I’m sure your music will be just fine. We are going to have to go over our lawn again as we had wind and rain yesterday and many more leaves blew down. We knew that would happen but thankfully some nice weather coming up so we’ll “rev” up the leaf blowers and take care of them. Take care.
Cats can get into the craziest places. Mary you’ll do a great job playing at the funeral. Jo I’m so sorry to hear about your husband’s passing.
Jo I am so sorry to hear of your husbands passing. Will keep you in my prayers.
Mary take a deep breath and play from your heart….you got this.
Thanks for the Eyeglass case instructions.
Love and Peace to all.
Sally J.
Jo, so sorry to hear of your husband’s passing. Learning a new normal is difficult, but your work with the ladies at the jail can be a blessing for you & them! Mary, so sorry for the sudden loss of your friend. I’m sure you will do beautifully with the music you select! And how special that you are reading “Oh Susannah” & Becky will sing to the residents! They will love it!
Mary so sorry to hear about you church friend but I know your music will be perfect. It always is every Sunday.
Jo I am so sorry about your husband. Glad you have the ladies at the jail. You have been a great friend to them now they can be a little brightness for you.
So very sorry to hear about the loss of your friend! Will be thinking of you as you search for and practice music….
It seems like a lot of people are passing but I guess it is because we know so many people. I am sure you will be fine but it is a worry. See you can’t work outside so you can do the stuff for the funeral. The Lord works in mysterious ways
Mary, I’ll be praying for you as you prepare for the funeral music. Everyone there will understand the situation you are in, and there will be no judgement. The family will be soooo grateful for the music you provide; it will all be a huge blessing to them. We church pianists know that the music creates the environment, and unfortunately, you are very experienced at playing for funerals. The Holy Spirit will guide you as you select music they haven’t requested specifically, and He will provide the strength and supernatural ability to play the accompaniments you feel inadequate for. We will all be waiting to hear a report afterward. God bless you,
Ruth
So sorry Mary for your loss of a good friend at your church. Prayers for you this week. Prayers the surgery goes well too.
Two friends up north are involved in two kidney transplants and the one yesterday’s went well as Ii pray today’s does too.
What an age we live in today isn’t it?
Be well
Hugs to you
Sympathy to you, Mary, on the loss of a friend, and to Jo in Wyoming. We are all with you in spirit.
Mary,
I’m so sorry about your friends passing. Your musical tribute for her will be heartwarming to her family and friends. We all (from your blog) will be thinking of you.
Jo, I’m so sorry about your husband also. May your memories help you get through this very hard time. You have many friends on this blog too.
It is so nice that you’ve made this blog, Mary, where we can share and receive comfort and friendship from each other….like a family! Bless you for that, Mary.
Mary, so sorry about the loss of your friend. I know you will do fine with the music! You might need an extra ‘iced tea’ tho.
Gracie is a crazy cat. The kids in Michigan got a couple new kittens. Levi is in love with the black one. Thankfully the kitty is really tame and doesn’t scratch.
Beautiful weather. This afternoon the sun came out. The wind is blowing tho. Ha what do we expect! Right?
Take care eve3yone!
Sorry for the loss of your friend Mary & for your husband Jo.
Sad to hear that your husband passed, Jo. My thoughts are with you – so good that you have your friends at the jail to hang out with. And Mary, I’m sorry to hear about your friend. I’m sure you will do a great job with the music. What a wonderful community you live in – and they are lucky to have you. Jo, the women at the jail are lucky to have you as well! Jan in MA
Jo, my condolences on the passing of your husband. I pray that God gives you the strength to move forward in life.
I am sorry to hear about your church member Mary. I’m sure the music you play will be wonderful.
We will be going to the funeral of a longtime friend the Tuesday before thanksgiving. She has been very ill this past year but has had health issues for years. My son the priest will be giving the homily. He and her son have known each other since kindergarten. She is the second of two friends to pass this year.
Jo I’m so sorry to hear about your husband passing. May you find solace in your family, your memories, and your service to your sewing ladies in prison.