Singing has always been a major part of our family. While
other families implement the “no cell phones at the table” (which we also did),
one of our die-hard rules was “no singing at the table.” That may seem odd for
families that do not sing, but for us, we had to draw the line so everyone
could enjoy family time around the table.
I was a part of our Tift County High School’s chorus and show
choir in high school and to this day some of my best friends were made during
those years. It delighted me greatly when both Matthew and Sophia were a part
of chorus and show choir!
Graduating to the parent side of the program was exciting
and even serving as president last year, while it had its share of headaches, I
knew we did right by the kiddos and had money in the bank! We had to worry
about backdrops, charter buses verses school buses, wardrobe cleaning and
making sure everyone was current on their dues.
Meeting twice a month allowed parents to be immersed in the details
that make such a fine program such as this run smoothly, and it also became a major
part of my social calendar. While Matthew and Sophia hung out with their friends, I
was hanging out with their friends’ parents who quickly became my friends and
social group.
Heading across the state and southeast for three months out
of the year left us tired at the end of weekends, but it proved to be some
of the most exhilarating time to spend with our children and their passion.
Richard and I enjoyed watching them excel on the stage, noticed when they
messed up, and would critique and encourage them on certain aspects of their shows.
Unfortunately, this year our weekends are free. Competitions are still being held, but Sophia
is no longer here for us to go see her beautiful red hair and her smiling face
on stage. It breaks my heart that our school program has lost several members
over the course of the past four years due to premature deaths.
On opening weekend of show choir, instead of viewing our
beautiful daughter on stage, we stopped by Publix, grabbed some flowers and
visited her gravesite. With tears streaming down my face, I wished desperately
to see her on stage one more time. Richard and I had seen our girl blossom on stage from a scared 7th grader to dance captain last year, and we were so proud of her progress.
Sophia’s role as dance captain last year was challenging, but
it was a great opportunity for her to learn how to help manage the group and
teach dances. She was a stickler for doing things well, but she was still
learning how to direct others in a positive, more encouraging manner. Her sassy and
many times bossy manner (I have no idea where she would get that from) was
still being polished. I know she is singing in heaven now, and I can almost see
her stopping the chorus of praises and saying, “Ok, this time with more energy….from
the top….and 5,6,7,8….”
While she is singing and dancing before the throne, we are still
grieving. This process is not getting easier. In fact, the reality of it all is
slowly sinking in. She’s really gone. She will not be back on stage for us to
go and enjoy, and our weekends unfortunately are mainly open. We miss her
terribly, as well as her friends and the show choir family.
We wish the best for all the Tift County Show Choirs and
know that through the heartache of losing several of their own, the show must
go on!
