TCATS #375 - One Year

My family is a very music-oriented family and whenever we go on family trips we enjoy listening to a playlist that everyone has contributed to. Without fail, there are always a few songs that get added to the list that everyone sings along to (and not just sings, but belts!). One of those comes from a musical called RENT. I actually haven't seen the musical myself, but the song we all enjoy is called "Seasons of Love". The beginning lyrics go like this:

Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty five thousand moments so dear
Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure? Measure a year?
In daylights,
In sunsets,
In midnights,
In cups of coffee,
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife
In five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure a year in a life?

As today marks the one-year mark since the Tabernacle Choir last performed live, I think I could add a few customized lyrics to this song. When the song asks "How do measure? Measure a year?" my response would be

In songs not sung
In rehearsals not attended
In concerts not performed
In friendships unrenewed
In Sunday sleep-ins
In reclaimed Thursday nights
In increased family time
In General Conferences at home

In emotions
In questions
In longings
In speculation
In sadness, in tears, in hope, in faith.
In five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure a year without choir?

As we begin week 53, we know that we will be the caboose on the "return to normal" train. But in the meantime, there are blessings to enjoy and spiritual musical experiences to anticipate. Lessons in patience are never wasted. 

As an aside, I went to the Tabernacle this past week with my friend Ben to return our suits that we used when doing the virtual recording. It was the first time I had been back in a very long time. Hallways were empty and people were scarce. But it was nice to be greeted by our wardrobe guy, Vance, and to visually see that everything was as we had left it. One day, all the people will be back and our musical journey will continue.

Until next time, God be with you.