I Gotta Sing when the Spirit says Sing!

"Enjoy life…this isn’t a dress rehearsal!"

This quote most accurately reflects how I spent the latter part of last week.  My, did it feel fantastic!

I was given the opportunity to bring my passion for singing to two very different audiences on Thursday and Friday nights.   None of them was expecting me– that lady from the news– to stand up before them and sing.

First,  I was able to make it to the Evening of Jazz Show at St. Ambrose Episcopal Church in Raleigh.  Bobby Moody’s quartet knew I was only a possibility, and so they did not publish my name in the program.  Once he learned that I wanted to sing he worked me into the show.  I am so grateful for that. The musicians all nodded when he proffered Sade’s Smooth Operator, and it was on from there. I sang, laughed, danced, and talked to the audience– making light of the fact I was singing pop music and dancing in a church of all places!

Friday, I emceed a World Aids Day Program in Durham on the campus of North Carolina Central University.  I was expected to make introductions and move the program along.  Here’s the thing:  I told myself from the very beginning that if I saw the slightest opening for a chance to sing something moving and inspiring to the group assembled at the Miller Morgan building, I was going to go for it.

Opportunity knocked.  A minister was supposed to take the stage for closing reflections, but for some reason he wasn’t there.  I still don’t know why.  That moment called for spiritual words, inspiration– something to button up the evening of rap, songs, step dances, personal testimonies.

I made a statement about everybody needing to do  his or her part in the fight against aids, and then sang, "To God be the Glory".   I am starting to really love this song, and was humbled by the standing ovation I received from those who gathered to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of World Aids Day.

I was on cloud nine when I finished the song..  completely happy.  It is my hope that those who attended left lifted, too.

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