When I was 10 or so, she let me sing a version of Mary's "Magnificat" at our church's Christmas Pageant, in front of the congregation. She was there without fail for every elementary school concert, every intermediate school concert, and every high school concert.
Even though I went to college 4.5 hours away, she even managed to attend most of my college concerts. And she's attended 90% of my post-college concerts. (It's like she's my own personal cheerleading section!) Perhaps that's why I feel like I'm singing to her (or with her) almost every time I sing.
She can't sing at all anymore, these past few years, due to a combination of physical concerns. A severe thorn in the flesh for her. So to me, it's even more important that I sing well...it's almost like I'm singing for her as well as me.
But that means that even more of my emotions are involved than usual when I sing, especially gorgeous songs about love or gardens or flowers...
O God...please give me the strength to sing well...for her and for You.
