Do Septuagenarians Sing?

This one does! And so can you, regardless of your age or how old you feel

Photo by David Beale on Unsplash

“And yet here we are with our physics and our poems
and our ever-breaking, ever broadening hearts.”
Maria Popova

When I mustered the nerve to audition for a choir, I was in my late-60s, and I hadn’t sung for over 40 years. Yes, you read this correctly - I spent 40+ years lost in a song-less desert. My throat literally locked. (You’ll learn why in time but, for now, suffice to say, NEVER EVER – not even for an instant, much less decades – allow others to define you.)

I am still stunned silly with delight that I passed the audition. (Eternal thanks to my friend and fellow musician Dan for his encouragement.)

At the same time, it has taken me nearly three years to accept that I am not ridiculous. Hell, yes, you betcha I am daring to call myself a singer at my age! (Thank you, Jessica, opera singer and voice teacher, for your knowledge, encouragement, and unflaggingly patient reassurance.)

But here’s the most important part…

As a poet, I define singing not only as do-re-mi but figuratively as well. I am committed to paying Dan and Jessica’s transcendent gifts of grace forward.

To encouraging you to ‘sing’ with me.

Perhaps, like me, you’ll join a choir. (Research cites all sorts of benefits.) Perhaps you’ll embark upon a new career or hobby. Perhaps you’ll dare to dare to dream or, better yet, you’ll awaken. At long last, you are ready to take that first, most important, incredibly fierce and brave step to making your dream a reality. Perhaps you’ll declare January 2 is Easter and resurrect from the tomb, from a killer betrayal or defeat.

Or maybe you’ll opt to be a bit more open to sharing a journey in a new garden with me.

Stay tuned. Love.
Jenine

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