Skip to main content

Unexpected gifts

 Dear Reader

I want to tell you about two unexpected gifts. 

The first was a story from one of the early Cathedral Evensongs. I won’t identify which one to preserve the protagonist’s anonymity, suffice it to say we were very much in the grips of jet lag.

Felicia, one of the choir parents, was sitting next to an older lady, probably an octogenarian, who had not been in church for decades. There had been some issue that caused this, but she felt moved to attend this service. She told Felicia she was so moved by the service, and the beautiful singing of our Choir that she felt at peace. Our service became a gift for her, but it was a precious gift for us.

This is for me why we do what we do. Not necessarily for the loud accolades we receive, although we are blessed to receive them. For me it is the opportunity to touch someone’s heart, when they most need it, to make a difference. Anthony reminded us as a Choir that we never know who is present and what impact we may have. It is for this reason we must always offer our best. 

The other gift was more personal. My late Dad, Robert Beal, better known as Bob, enrolled on Facebook so he could read the 2014-15 section of this blog. Most people join. Dad enrolled. Before he died he gave Alana Brook his set of Sigfrid Karg-Elert organ works and other organ music he thought she could use. 

She let me know that not only does she play them but she has continued his tradition of noting the dates they have been played. She sent me this photo showing his marks dating back to the 1970s at the bottom, and her notations at the top. The letters R, L and W relate to the place where she has played them, being Ripon, Lincoln and Wakefield. Dad would be so chuffed to know they are still in active use, especially by someone he loved and admired.

Thank you, Alana.


Cxx

Comments

  1. AnonymousJanuary 8, 2024 at 2:29 PM

    What a treasure both these stories are. I remember your dad encouraging the St Jude’s Choir, laughing a lot and playing the organ with intention, knowledge and passion. Thank you for reminding me of those memories through the story of the music.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJanuary 9, 2024 at 10:29 PM

    It would have been good to have a heads up before i read this one out loud to mum and lost it totally- eyes so wet I couldn’t read- what a blessing and such a lovely legacy- yes Dad would be over the moon - i am sure he is listening. 💜

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousJanuary 9, 2024 at 10:30 PM

      Sorry that was Judy with Susan of course

      Delete
  3. Helen CJanuary 10, 2024 at 3:30 AM

    And I recognise his handwriting - I have many letters preserved over the years - before computers! A precious story. Judy, it is what Andrew calls "sweaty eyeballs". Love Helen

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Big One, St Paul’s

  Dear Reader Today was the Big Event of tour. St Paul’s Cathedral, London. If you are observant, you will notice my absence from the photo above, along with several of my colleagues. Sadly, this happened.  After nearly four years and six vaccinations I finally succumbed to the dreaded Covid. At the worst possible time. My multiple vax status has meant I only feel a bit rotten, like a cold, but I do feel sad to have missed the day. And to miss Windsor tomorrow. I was grateful for the considered medical advice provided by Dr Ritesh, father of one of the trebles, who also updated my supply of paracetamol and ibuprofen.  So I am relying on others for the report about this special day.  The good bits started with four of the young Lay Clerks heading to St Paul’s for singing lessons with my friend Patrick Craig, who is an Alto Lay Vicar at St Paul. In have yet to hear from Nicholas, Marco, Charlie or James, but Patrick was very complimentary about their singing. This is w...
10 comments
Read more

Chatsworth House in pictures

  Dear Reader We have just spent a couple of hours at Chatsworth House. I could have spent days exploring the house and the gardens.  Their display was set up as an Advent Calendar, with a lot of trees. 
2 comments
Read more

Coffee, Cath's, Guildford, Jamie's, Cocktails and "Tidying Up"

So now you know from the title, Dear Reader, what occurred today. Perhaps I need not write more. Perhaps I should not write more. But, Dear Reader, I will. Perhaps I will start with the end and end with the beginning... The Young Ones have just left Room 112 (my room) where they very kindly offered to help Alice and me finish off the duty free vodka and gin we bought in KL some 9 days ago. Slack work, Team. There are remnants, so the Young Ones are cordially invited back to whatever room I am allocated in Chichester tomorrow to continue their assistance in Tidying Up the duty free. What was said in Tidy Up remains in Tidy Up, and you, Dear Reader, should be grateful for this. As well as those whose reputations might be sullied by Tidy Up. Continuing our journey back in time, I will take you, Dear Reader, back to TGIF Guildford*. It stands for Thank God Its Friday. Except on their wall it says TGI FRiDAYS, with the plural marker. (Note to self: Turn off inner Grammar Pedant af...
3 comments
Read more