Whistling is an Amazing Gift

A post by my fellow blogger, A Cuban in London, prompted this memory. Although my children know this story, and smile at each other with the "here it comes again look", I will share it with you today.

My Grandpa was quite a whistler. As a child, I was quite smitten with him anyway, as an only granddaughter adores the princes in her life, but when he whistled, wow. I would hold my breath so I wouldn't miss a note. He said he couldn't sing, but he truly sang.

Many times he said he didn't know what song he was whistling; I think he made up melodies. He did many old fashioned German melodies, Oh Danny Boy, and hymns. I remember distinctly How Great Thou Art. This hymn has been at so many funerals in my family that I can't hear it anymore. But I still must perform it occasionally.

The last time I played it, I am sure I heard Grandpa whistling along. It was as clear as if he were sitting in the back of the room, with a lean-against-the-wall, style. It was crystal clear, and took my breath away. I wanted to stop and listen to him, but I was performing in public, and no one else seemed to hear anything out of the ordinary. The hairs on my arms and the back of my neck raised.

It was almost as if we were doing a duet, and it made me cry. Right in the middle of the performance. Tears were rolling down my face and I couldn't stop. I'm sure people thought I was nuts. But there I sat, playin' and cryin'.

It was heavenly to hear that sound again, even if it was in my own head. Grandpa died in 1976, at that time, Roger Whittaker was also known for his whistling. Here is a sample of some of his beautiful whistling.

Wedding Pictures

The wedding was beautiful and the couple is now happily honeymooning in a non-disclosed location-a cabin in northern Wisconsin-for a few days. They will also take a second honeymoon for two weeks to Hawaii in February where they have use of a condo.
The music went well, but I'm still mentally exhausted. Performing both on Saturday for the wedding, and Sunday for worship is a lot of music. I dare say I feel my age on Monday. Even into Tuesday!
There were many details of this wedding that set it apart; the bride is a perfectionist graphic designer and her fingerprints were all over the three day event. Here are some great ideas if you are planning a wedding.
In St. Paul, home of Charles Schultz, there are six foot statues of his characters all over the city. Here, Lucy has donned a bridal gown and stood near the entrance to the chapel.
The reception was in the top of the Crowne Plaza, St. Paul. We had the blessing of seeing the city, the river, the paddleboats, and the sunset while we feasted.
Every piece of carrot cake, their wedding cake, had a bride and groom figurine atop a mound of fresh whipped cream. It was heavenly.
Unfortunately, life's celebrations and death's reality have collided in my life.
This weekend I will be part of a funeral for our brother in law. His heart stopped on Friday. The ambulance was finally able to get it started again, but his brain had been without oxygen an hour. He was merely 55. We will go to support his wife and five children with our arms, our smiles, and our tears. We last saw him over Memorial weekend when we mini-golfed together. I'm glad for the pictures I took of that trip.
The bride wanted traditional hymns played pre-service and during the service to make the convention space of the hotel seem more holy. The singer did a lovely arrangement of "How Great Thou Art", big and full of grace. This song will appear before me again at the funeral, combining and intertwining the two events in a bittersweet melody. It has been a part of all of my grandparents funerals. I'm so glad I got to hear it in a happy way at the wedding before I play it again for Bob and family.
Do you remember your wedding music or have you planned any "must haves" for your funeral? I find that people are very interested in having certain pieces for their loved ones at both events.
"How Great Thou Art", "Beautiful Savior", "Day by Day", "In the Garden", and "Softly and Tenderly" in the traditional section, "I Can Only Imagine", "Eagle's Wings" and "Borning Cry" are more contemporary. These are the Often Requested at the Lutheran funerals I've played recently. I've also played "What A Friend We have in Jesus", "Sissy's Song" by Alan Jackson, "My Redeemer Lives", and "The Wind Beneath My Wings" this year.

I think maybe I'm not cut out to be a funeral musician. But I do it in love. Sometimes music says what words can not.