Maryanne had lost her love of singing
keeping the group together was hard over the past few months
She had no energy,she did not want to disappoint us
she struggled on …
We read the signs without words
Her year had been a brutal one
She nursed her young Brother John
who died in August from a brain tumour
A young man of 41 years
A teacher of History/English ,a musician ,a traveller
a left wing activist
Heartsong sang at the celebration of his life

We gathered one last time to be together
We shared a wonderful meal
We sang songs favourites,christmas hymns and carols
Tears were shed ,laughter of fun times ,disasters remembered
We come from all walks of life
Nurses,shop owner,care workers,geography teacher,a worker with
guide dogs,a young blind woman,a student,a disability worker
and her client who loved to sing and laugh,a female lay preacher
who works as an outreach worker, a chello player & on and on it goes

We sat late into the night and talked of our path for 2007
Maryanne will sell her flat and buy a house with a garden
a place of privacy where she can feel at peace
A room for music to teach, and learn to play the chello
Take a year off just for herself a year of low earnings but a year of need.
We will wait, we 23
We will keep in touch with each other,time permitting ,comittments permitting.
We will hope another choir is formed when Maryanne is rested

Some of us will look at other choirs
in our neighbourhoods
Choirs that don’t have too many requirements
Choirs that don’t say “You must be able to read music”
Choirs that don’t say…” You must have an audition”
We 23 are not into too much professionalism
We sing because we love to
We sing because Maryanne was able to bring the best in us out
She nurtured our voices
She is a special singing teacher
She reminds me of Heather
One who is a rare & special teacher
A teacher who has that ability to allow
us to give and give without constraint.

I am priveledged to have met
two such teachers
They are teachers not met in my days of education.
Perhaps they are rare
So rare we need to keep them safe
In the circle of care and love.

Lois (Muse of the Sea) 8.12.06