Each year filled to the brim with goodness, light, beauty, so much so that tear up. Crying just because it is Advent.
This year, Abigail going into college we didn't know what to expect. We knew she would be a part of Catholic Campus Ministry. We knew she wanted to play her viola at Grace Notes (for Mass each week) but we had no idea if there would be an opportunity to hear her play.
Oh how delighted we were when she told us that Fairfield University would have a Lessons and Carols on the same night as the tree lighting and celebration.
Of course we would be there. Through snow and driving rain and oh so cold, but we made it. Our hearts lifted when we walked into her chapel, the place she calls her 'home' parish.
Just to sit there and wait was a gift.
Such a prayerful and pretty space this chapel was...
It was a traditional Lessons and Carols with all of the Bible readings and the songs in between.
The last song 'O Come Emmanuel' was candle lit and beautiful.
and I could tell that she was playing from her heart... just like she had been taught for all of those years. Music comes from the heart.
Two quick hugs and two quick pictures before our girl was off with her friends headed to the tree lighting.
We are so so proud of you Abigail Mei. Thank you for filling us with the gift of your music, again.
*This was written back in April and now it's of course July. I couldn't post back then because there was an announcement at the end -- Anna's plans for a masters and sixth year at Fairfield. If you missed what that's all about, check this out*
It was Anna's final college orchestra concert and boy, it was an amazing one. Probably the best one in all four years.
I was so excited, beaming, and in tears throughout, especially the end when the seniors were recognized. I'll get to that part in just a bit.
First, I want to start by expressing my gratitude to the College of the Holy Cross Orchestra. That space, that place, those Tuesday and Thursday evenings held my daughter in a beautiful way.
It helped her to grow musically. It allowed her to continue playing her viola. It was safe and comfortable when she was adjusting. Yet it helped her to grow musically and socially beyond high school level.
So so grateful.
Here are some orchestra college posts that I love.
This one was her first picture of her very first rehearsal. I remember being so happy to see this pop up on my phone ~ September 2021
This post is when she showed us her rehearsal space when we visited her for Family Weekend. She looks so so happy! ~ October 2021
This post is her first college orchestra concert (back when masks were required) ~ November 2021
This post is her spring concert freshman year ~ March 2022
This post is her freshman year End of Year concert ~ April 2022
This post is her sophomore fall concert ~ November 2022
This post is her sophomore year Lessons and Carols ~ December 2022
This post is her sophomore year spring concert ~ March 2023
This post is her sophomore year End of Year concert ~ April 2023
This post is her junior year fall concert ~ November 2023
This post is her junior year Lessons and Carols concert ~ December 2023
Then Anna left for study abroad in China from December 27, 2023 - June 2024
This post is her senior year fall concert ~ November 2024
This post is her senior year Lessons and Carols concert ~ December 2024
This post is her senior year spring concert ~ March 2025 (the only one I missed) 😢
And that brings us to her very last College of the Holy Cross orchestra concert ~ April 2025
~ driving in
~ spotting her dorm and her window
~ the beautiful Performing Arts Center
~ sunset over the hill
~ arriving and sending a few moments before the concert began
~ a last concert present
At this point before our favorite song of Holy Cross the seniors were honored. I know that I can express my emotions on this blog but this moment truly took me by surprise. I saw that 'little' girl up there about to be recognized and honored as a college senior and I felt an overwhelming feeling of gratitude to God for what could have been, what she has walked through, and what her life is now. It was something, I tell you!
Here is a video of the concert.
And if you scroll to 1:24:18 you can see her senior night moment.
There are some things that you want to hold on to forever. But even in that moment you feel that they are slipping away.
I suppose graduation is supposed to feel like that. But I think I had that moment yesterday.
It was Abigail's final Solisti concert and I was sitting in the church with family surrounding me, Scott sitting just behind me.
And we both knew that this was 'our moment' to say/think/feel... she did that. She did it. She can play like that. That's our little Abigail.
The concert moved us to tears, both Scott and I crying and crying at the end of it. It was a moment I will remember for a very long, long time. Scott and I holding each other and crying as if there wasn't anyone else in that church. Our moment.
Because it was her moment. In that concert we watched her shine like I've never seen before. There was nothing quite like that playing she did.
I have photographs of course, and ever a few clips of video. There might even be a recording they did that I can upload here. But there is just no way to put the feelings here. No possible way.
You'll just have to trust me. It was magical.
Here is a clip a parent posted:
I have a few clips too since I had a front row seat to all this goodness!
I love how the conductor Abigail has known since she was 3 years old recognized her birthday and I love how his love of teaching and those seniors behind him showed in his words and emotions.
