There are historical moments that we remember vividly and palpably. Some people remember precisely what they were doing the moment they learned that JFK had died. Likewise, on the deeply significant day of 9/11, many of us remember all the insignificant details of our morning hours before we were confronted with that day’s painful set of losses. Similarly, I imagine that most of us remember the details of our last day and last hours of the ‘before times’ — that is, what we were doing right before the world closed down in March 2020 in the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
I certainly do. I was gathered with my 120+ person choir in Detroit for a final rehearsal of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. Our performance was scheduled for the next day. That night, things were already changing rapidly. We had spent a couple weeks of hearing about this virus in the news; at that time, we were already hearing about washing our hands more regularly with a bit of language about ‘social distancing’ too. But in the last 48 hours, the details of the news were getting more serious, and at that rehearsal, we weren’t entirely sure what we would happen. That evening, we didn’t rehearse from the stage, but rather, from the seats of the concert hall. We went home on a bus, unsure about the next day.
The next day turned out to be the first day of the ‘after times.’ State and national governments declared lockdowns. We were never able to have our concert. Even then, we thought we were looking at about three weeks of time in this lockdown, certainly not what turned into 15 months. I couldn’t have anticipated how isolating this would be. Suddenly we were plunged into a situation where everyone was quarantined with the wrong amount of people. Either we were utterly alone, or with squirrelly kids holed up in their own houses, we couldn’t get a moment alone.
1,200 days later (thanks Siri for giving me that number, which is very whole and pleasing too) 291 people set something right.
Every year, our large choir hosts an event called “Summer Sings.” People gather together, rehearse a big work of music for 45 minutes to an hour, and then we have an informance — an informal performance. It isn’t perfect, but it’s spirited and honestly, still very good. Last night, we rehearsed a run through of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, this time from the stage. Then, with incredible soloists, we performed it. 291 people set something right.
291 people is a lot more 120 choir members. Last night, we hit our record number of singers for Summer Sings, a tradition that’s been going on for about 25 years. We went full circle, and we finally sang our piece. It was spirited, well-sung, fun, and freeing.
And of course, this invites me to think about all the things we’ve needed to set right from that time, and invitations to do that still.
To give my prime example, since those 15 months lifted and vaccinations became available, I have not stopped traveling to see friends and chosen family. This has become one of my greatest commitments. Now that my workplace has chosen a hybrid schedule, and I, like many, can work from anywhere, I have, and I will. I’ve discovered that life is too short not to be gathered with the people you love most.
After the 15 months lifted and vaccinations were available, my beloved 25-year old car died. I then bought a new car that gets 56 miles per gallon, and I haven’t stopped traveling the gorgeous state of Michigan where I live. I’ve had so many solo journeys and day trips with friends too. Life is too short not to place yourself near beauty.
And after 15 months lifted and vaccinations were available, I am still singing, and I get to do this with others. Life is too short not to prioritize one of your greatest joys.
291 people set something right, and we can all work to reclaim our priorities, including the ones we had not quite prioritized before. Life is too short not to do that.
–Renee Roederer
Smuggling Grace 