Greetings, Friends, from Central Europe.
Yesterday, I had a very special day in Vienna. After practicing German daily for nearly two years, I was able to put it to use, and that was very satisfying. But most important to me, in the present moment, I enjoyed the city in a way that resonated with the past.
Austria is the first country I ever visited outside of the U.S. During the summer before my senior year, my high school choir visited four cities in Austria on a tour, including Vienna. At age 17, was enamored with this city.
And I had some special moments here personally as well. Our choir sang during a service at Karlskirche (St. Charles’ Church), which is one of the old churches in the Vienna. Opened in 1737, it is much younger than the St. Stephen Cathedral, constructed from 1137-1578. Both churches are gorgeous. During that service at Karlskirche, I was deeply moved, and I made a decision for my college direction. I decided I wanted to go to music school. Later, I did that exactly and attended the University of Louisville School of Music. And that decision, made under the dome of this cathedral, led me in many adventurous directions.
Yesterday, 25 years later, I returned. I was able to go into the balcony, right where we sang. The view below was lovely. I sat there and thought about the last 25 years — music made, of course, but most of all, relationships and communities — and I was grateful.
Later, in the evening, we went to a Viennese Concert, and sure enough, it was also in the same space where I attended a concert at age 17. I remember that night well because I felt very youthful and excited for the future. Last night, I felt like age-17-me and age-42-me got to attend a concert together.
When time and place meet, we are not only in relationship with those around us and those that emerge from those experiences. Life rhymes, and we can also be in relationship with parts of ourselves.
— Renee Roederer
Smuggling Grace 