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
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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!
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