My phone rang this morning.
And I didn't want to answer it.
I was 1.5 hours into a 7-hour practice day. I have several binders of music to learn. And with 10 practice days left before it all has to be performable, things are just a wee bit stressful.
But, then again, I survived 75 voice finals last week...without the aid of coffee, wine, or really, any amount of practicing...and with the help of 2 bottles of cough syrup, 2 cartons of grapefruit juice and and far too many cough drops. So, anything is possible, right?
Still, I didn't want to answer the phone.
Somebody probably needs an accompanist, and I don't want it to be me. I was up late last night, and I've been playing a lot lately, and I'm still trying to get healthy, and I'm attempting to be ready to move out of my apartment next week, and I have to bake a birthday cake for a friend, and I would just like to be home for an evening....and.....a million other things...
So, obviously, I answered the phone.
It was a voice teacher friend of mine. Her student had won a special award at the music festival that took place here this week (Thomas Hampson established the award in honor of his former teacher). And, he had been selected to perform at the honors concert. Tonight. And, his accompanist was unavailable.
Usually, I say no to these things.
I don't like doing things last minute.
I have enough music on my plate right now.
But it was a piece I knew and could probably play in my sleep.
And I live five minutes from the theater.
And I do happen to be free this evening.
And, most of all, this kid deserves to sing. He deserves the chance to tell his story. He deserves to be celebrated. He deserves the chance to share his gift.
So, obviously, I said yes.
And, obviously, I'm glad I did.
Because I got to empower someone tonight. I got to give him the gift of possibility. And he took it and ran with it.
Sure, if I hadn't said yes, someone else might have played. So maybe he still would have gotten a chance to sing and tell his story and share his gift and be celebrated.
But I got to be a part of the story-telling.
I got to be a part of the celebration.
I got to enable him to shine.
I got to help him share his gift.
I got to receive some of the blessing.
My phone rang this morning.
And I'm glad it did.
