Oh Fooey Moment

I attended a funeral on Thursday morning (for the man who commit suicide). I was to play piano for special music and some hymns and provide postlude. I spent some time with the family and vocalists on Wednesday to plan out the music. Luckily one of the vocalists was comfortable leading hymns so that I could accompany because one the congregational songs ("In the Bulb there is a Flower") really requires accompaniment. The other congregational song was the hymn "Wonderful Grace of Jesus." Such a great hymn! On Thursday morning driving to the church I was excited beyond all reason that I was going to get to sing alto on "Wonderful Grace of Jesus." I'm normally the one leading hymns and I'm, decidedly, an alto. I love singing alto. I'm constantly in mourning about singing soprano all the time because I'm leading. But I was going to sing alto on that beautiful morning and I couldn't wait!

I get to the funeral and park myself on the front bench so I can easily access the piano. I arrange my music tidily beside me. I even open the hymnal to "Wonderful Grace of Jesus" so that after accompanying the first congregational song I could race back to the pew, gather up my hymnal, and not even miss one measure of glorious alto singing. So I accompany the first hymn. It goes well. It finishes and I practically sprint back to the pew, pick up my hymnal, and look at the song leader with anticipation. Here is the inner dialogue that followed:

I'm ready, I'm ready, I'm ready!

The song leader is looking at me. Is he waiting for me to be ready to start singing? How considerate of him.

He's making eye contact with me. Yes mister song-leader, I'm ready to go. (He must sense how excited I am. Nod your head to let him know he can start.)

Why does he keep looking at me?

He's motioning with his hand. That's strange.

HE'S MOTIONING TOWARD THE PIANO! Oh no! He wants me to play.

(Me, popping up and heading to said piano.)

I don't get to sing! Oh the humanity! (Sniffles inwardly.)

(Sitting down at the piano)

Oh fooey! Bob did ask me to accompany this! I remember it now so clearly. I really dropped the ball on this one.

(Positioning hymnal on the piano.)

I have never played this song on the piano. Fingers don't fail me now.

(Begins to play.)

So there it was. Poor guy. He didn't have a pitch pipe, how was he gonna start a hymn? My excitement blinded me. It went fine though. I apologized later. And on a serious note, for what could have been such a sad and tragic funeral, this is one of the nicest, most touching and meaningful funerals I've ever been to. What a testament to a loving family. Rest in peace Mark.