Stranger than Fiction

This could possibly be one of my favorite lines ever.

Seen this movie? It's pretty snazzy.

Geraniums

My mom tells me she can't see a geranium without thinking about how her grandmother would wear them in her hair every Sunday.

Now I have my own, and I love them.

(And I'm trying not to kill them! (And so far succeeding!))

Sara Evans - Alone

I listened to this song on the way to work this morning. It explains about how I feel about a certain situation in my life right now. But probably not the way you would think. Anyway, it's simply a song I connect with currently.

I also find it slightly humorous that the last song I posted was also titled "Alone." Is this an omen? o.O

I Believe in Christ, So Come What May

The last several times I have sung "I Believe in Christ" in church I have not been able to sing the last full verse because I am filled with emotion. The whole song is wonderful, but every time, that last verse gets me, perhaps because it's exactly what I need to hear . . . again and again. Perhaps it's what you need too. This is the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's rendition of this beautiful hymn.

1. I believe in Christ; he is my King!
With all my heart to him I’ll sing;
I’ll raise my voice in praise and joy,
In grand amens my tongue employ.
I believe in Christ; he is God’s Son.
On earth to dwell his soul did come.
He healed the sick; the dead he raised.
Good works were his; his name be praised.

2. I believe in Christ; oh blessed name!
As Mary’s Son he came to reign
’Mid mortal men, his earthly kin,
To save them from the woes of sin.
I believe in Christ, who marked the path,
Who did gain all his Father hath,
Who said to men: “Come, follow me,
That ye, my friends, with God may be.”

3. I believe in Christ—my Lord, my God!
My feet he plants on gospel sod.
I’ll worship him with all my might;
He is the source of truth and light.
I believe in Christ; he ransoms me.
From Satan’s grasp he sets me free,
And I shall live with joy and love
In his eternal courts above.

4. I believe in Christ; he stands supreme!
From him I’ll gain my fondest dream;
And while I strive through grief and pain,
His voice is heard: “Ye shall obtain.”
I believe in Christ; so come what may,
With him I’ll stand in that great day
When on this earth he comes again
To rule among the sons of men.

Pretty and Poignant Words

I found this a while back.

And it's magnificent.

Three Lessons I Learned from To Kill A Mockingbird

I watched To Kill a Mockingbird this weekend. What a fantastic movie! I particularly like Scout's spunk and Atticus's quiet strength—he is most admirable and respectable. Anyway, I thought I would share a few lessons I learned.


1. Sometimes kindness calms the most stubborn souls. I can't find a clip, but there's this part in the beginning where Scout says "hey" to an older lady she passes by who is sitting on her porch. The lady immediately lashes out at her saying she should say "Good afternoon" and "Weren't you taught good manners?" Scout ignores her and finds her father, Atticus. They walk by her again the other direction and before the lady can get a word out, Atticus says "Good afternoon" and comes up to her, complimenting her extraordinary garden and saying all sorts of niceties. With a tip of his hat, he and Scout go their merry way. All are appeased. Did the lady deserve that sort of kindness? Probably not. Did Atticus have to say anything to her? No. But it showed that Atticus was a good man, choosing peace over pride.

2. Some of the most powerful things can be said with silence. I wish the whole scene were here because it's more drawn out and much more intense. You can sense how much Atticus despises this man, yet he's so in control he does nothing to harm him. Atticus remains unmoved by a man of whose main weapon is to frighten and intimidate others, and I believe that Atticus's unflinching manner unnerves this horrid man.

3. My personal favorite: sometimes innocence can do what wisdom can't. This is when Atticus knew there would be trouble at the jail so he spent the night in front of the innocent Tom Robinson's cell in order to protect him. What bravery Atticus and his son have, but in the end, it's Scout's innocence that saves them.

My Voice

I have been thinking lately how grateful I am for my voice. Seriously, of all the things I treasure in this world, my voice is toward the top of the list.

I love to sing. I always have. My mom could tell you that there was usually a song being sung in the house, and 95 percent of the time it was coming from yours truly. In sixth grade I joined choir and stuck with it all through high school. In college I had to remind myself not to sing while I was walking to class (because only that weird kid who wears a cape around campus does that) or hum while my roommate was trying to sleep (I try not to annoy my roommates). I think singing is my default mode.

I have a pretty long commute these days. I'm in the car 50 minutes every day, and I honestly don't mind it that much for one reason: I get to blast my favorite songs and sing along.

The cool thing about singing is you don't need any musical instrument. Everyone can sing, and a voice doesn't cost anything. How amazing is it that you can make beautiful music with your own body—no purchase necessary?

Years ago I read (I think on one of those old-school facebook flair things) "Music is what feelings sound like." I agree completely. So often I have feelings that I am itching to express. At times I feel I am going to burst! But music and singing is my outlet; it calms and soothes me. I absolutely adore it.

What would I do if I couldn't sing? What would I do without music? What would I do without my voice?

I don't even want to think about it.

(Now if only I could sing in front of other people....)