I Will Light a Candle For You

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The concert was beautiful. There was off key singing, forgotten lines, screeching band instruments, and it was beautiful. Nora did a wonderful job singing "The Grinch" with her classmates. She was so pleased to be on a stage in an actual theatre, so excited.

There is no doubt that one little darling stole the show. She was all of ten years old. An adorable little girl with blonde ringlets and the face of an angel. She timidly walked to the centre of the stage at the end of the evening as the audience sat waiting. There she stood, completely alone, in front of  theatre packed with parents and her entire school. As artificial snow fell all around her, she squinted against the stage lights to see into the audience, perhaps seeking comfort in the faces of her parents.

Then she opened her mouth, and she sang, acapella, with a voice belonging to an angel. The entire audience sat in complete awe. She sang...

light a candle
for the old man who sits staring
out a frosty windowpane

light a candle
for the woman who is lonely
and every Christmas is the same

for the children who need
more than presents can bring

light a candle
light the dark
light the world

light a heart or two
light a candle for me
I'll light a candle for you

light a candle
for the homeless and the hungry
a little shelter from the cold

light a candle
for the broken and forgotten
may the season warm their souls

can we open our eyes
to shine through the dark

light a candle
light the dark
light the world

light a heart or two
light a candle for me
I'll light a candle for you

I had never heard this song before and as her voice rang through the theatre I sat with silent tears running down my cheeks. Her voice raised the hair on my arms. She sang with the innocence of a child.  Her hands clasped nervously at her sides, a cherub like smile on her face, she sang. The entire school joined her during the last chorus. They held hands, smiled at each other and sang their little hearts out. Their desire to impress, to wow their parents was evident in the concentration on their faces. It lifted my heart and left me breathless. I could feel the stress, the worry, the anxiety melt away with each clear, beautiful note. These exquisite, innocent children, who are ours to cherish. They are ours to love and there really is no greater gift in life.

I have no doubt that come tomorrow I'll be back on the crazy train. The stress will worm its' way back into my life. However, for this small moment in time, I will treasure the sound of those voices echoing in my mind. I will treasure the pure, unadulterated joy those voices brought me.

Thank you, sweet, sweet children, thank you.

20 comments:

Unknown said...
December 15, 2009 at 10:06 PM

what a gift that was. it sounds like it was a truly magical evening...what christmas should be.

Lola said...
December 15, 2009 at 10:12 PM

How cool is that! Glad you had a great time.

Becca said...
December 15, 2009 at 10:22 PM

This is beautiful. And so appropriate at this time of year and all year if we are honest.

Thank you,
Becca

SPEAKING FROM THE CRIB said...
December 15, 2009 at 10:23 PM

this was your BEST POST EVER.

awesome.

i am tearing up. and i never cry.

good job.

Mae Rae said...
December 15, 2009 at 11:18 PM

Wow, that song made me well up and I only read it. I can just imagine what it would have sounded like.

Laura said...
December 15, 2009 at 11:18 PM

I LOVED this. Just reading this post lightened my day. Thank you

Raoulysgirl said...
December 15, 2009 at 11:49 PM

WOW!

Nothing more...just...WOW!

adrienzgirl said...
December 16, 2009 at 12:03 AM

I am truly moved to tears. I don't think you could have described it any better.

Music truly does transcend all language barriers. I can imagine that everyone in attendance felt as you did this evening.

Thank you for sharing!

Anonymous said...
December 16, 2009 at 1:25 AM

Acapella singing showcases real talent!

Sharon said...
December 16, 2009 at 9:33 AM

Simply beautiful. I hope you'll remember that little angel when the stress returns. This is what Christmas is all about.

Moooooog35 said...
December 16, 2009 at 9:54 AM

My brother in law's first house burnt down because of a candle.

I think we'll stick to nightlights, thankyouverymuch.

Aunt Juicebox said...
December 16, 2009 at 10:06 AM

It's so nice when you go to one of these things, and something they do is genuinely good, well rehearsed and touching. I remember the one year my daughter was in chorus before she started band, and it was a monstrosity. They were on movable bleachers, and doing some sort of choreography. I thought the chorus teacher was out of her mind. A couple kids nearly fell off, and they were stomping their feet and making the bleachers shake and move. It was unbelievable.

Happy Hour...Somewhere said...
December 16, 2009 at 10:10 AM

"Light the world." Thank you. I think this will perhaps inspire me into the spirit of the season and out of the Grinchies. Just beautiful.

Danielle said...
December 16, 2009 at 10:46 AM

That just sounds amazing. Children are what makes this world go around happily that is for sure.

Liz Mays said...
December 16, 2009 at 7:14 PM

Oh wow, I felt like I was there with you and I got chills! What a special experience that was!

gayle said...
December 16, 2009 at 7:24 PM

You know something touches you when the hairs on your arms stand up!! Don't you just love it when that happens!! Sounds breathtaking!!

Aunt Becky said...
December 16, 2009 at 7:54 PM

*shivers*

Beautiful.

Anonymous said...
December 16, 2009 at 8:54 PM

I got chills too!

Fake snow? Man your school must have some big budget!

Seriously though, I could picture it, and the lyrics were very moving. I'm glad you enjoyed a night of peace and tranquility and goodness with your daughter.

June said...
December 17, 2009 at 7:15 PM

Thank you for sharing - Beautiful!

Tracie said...
December 20, 2009 at 10:26 PM

My son's Christmas concert was Tuesday night, too. I was dreading it but ended up having a good time. The show-stealer at his was a chubby Asian girl in a sequined dress. She sang like Aretha. It was a-mazing.

Merry Christmas!