Sometimes the past appears in the present pulling the present into the past like the motion of an accordion. That happened for me last night at a very moving presentation of Dubois’ “Seven Last Words of Christ” at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Excelsior, Minnesota. The sanctuary was full and darkened, lit primarily by seven candles in front of the bare altar. The choir was full. The organ, the drum, and the harp were near perfection, as were the four professional soloists and the choir itself.
As each “word” was completed, one candle was extinguished and, for the finale, the choir sang in the dark without music. No one broke the silence in the end as we left.
For me, it was not just beautiful. I relived the years of singing one of the soprano solos in Hamden, Connecticut. But more than that I saw and heard the conducting organist, long gone from us, and the other friends no longer in my life, and many gone on to the next stage in their journey.
The day before yesterday we had celebrated Maundy Thursday where we received the new commandment to love one another. Yes, the accordion effect last night did flood my soul with love that survives even the death of those who have blessed our lives and moved on.
monagustafsonaffinito 
It sounds like it was a beautiful presentation. The ending is the icing on the cake. A wonderful time to live through memories and be thankful for where we are today. Happy Easter Mona
Thanks, Terry, and may your Easter be blessed in a very special way.
Mona, long ago our church also had a pastor who “conducted” such concerts and presentations. Just as you I remember the dark church and the singing in the dark – it gave a wonderful feeling of connection. As you, I also sang soprano for years –
wonderful memories, thank you!
So good to know I have so much in common with you! Thanks.
Beautiful, Mona. and Beautiful Mona. Thank you.
Thank you, lovely Gaye. Happy Easter …
An accordian. Perfect metaphor. And we are the instrument. In that apparently hollow space we hold our lifetime and the people who have been part of it. Music and artful expression of moving stories can set the accordian in motion and help us realize all that has made up our lives. It must have been a beautiful experience on countless levels.
It was indeed. To me Maundy Thursday with its commandment to love and Good Friday with its forgiveness are the real meaning of the weekend. Tomorrow will be quiet time with Doug after being 1/6 of the choir at Shepherd of the Hill.
I like the idea of an accordion effect. The older I get, the more I can sense the pull and tug of the the past, present, and future.
Thanks so much for identifying with the expression. I wonder what age we have to reach before we “get” it. I do recall using the expression at least once when I was 46.
Love always survives.
We just have to be patient sometimes. Thanks
Love the opening line.
Thanks