Reflecting

I had several things ready that I planned on posting today, but really, I have spent much of the day reflecting.

I have been thinking and praying  often for Dr. Smith, my college choir director, who is in the final hours of his life, surrounded by close family.  What an amazing teacher.  Singing in his choir was such a unique experience, and my faith grew so much from it.  My classmates and choir alumni have been sharing  vivid memories of  experiences singing with Dr. Smith the past few days.  He has lived such an amazing life.  There were so many parts of his personality that always reminded me of my Grandpa Tuffy:  stubborn, dedicated, and smart.   In my head I have been singing “The Old Ship of Zion, ” a spiritual Dr. Smith arranged that had great meaning for his choir, especially in the last years he directed.  He wasn’t the perfect choir director, but by far, he taught me the most, and had more passion than anyone I’ve ever studied with.

Late in the day today I also heard the shocking and sad news that an almost-classmate of mine from childhood, just one year younger than me, died in a car accident today, and I’ve spent much of the late evening mulling that around in my head.  I’m praying for her family, especially her kids,  and close friends.  I have been flooded with little memories of her, even though I haven’t been in touch very much with her these last years.  Memories like:  the shape of her handwriting, jumping rope at recess, pogo balls when I was in second grade (she was really good at pogo ball jumping in the gym), riding our identical bikes around town the summer after fifth grade, washing dishes with her on Sundays when I worked in her mom’s cafe, and going to visit her at her house when she brought her oldest daughter home from the hospital.  In such a situation, it seems to me that there is nothing to do but trust that God is sovereign and knows what he’s doing, even if we can’t always see the big picture.

More cheerful blog posts tomorrow.  Stay tuned.