I took two of my

I took two of my daughters
to listen to Mozart's Requiem performed by our local university orchestra and
choir. C has always loved opera. We purchased The Classical Kids Collection when
our first daughter was about two. It is really engaging for the children. From
an early age we have exposed them to a variety of music, but first and foremost,
classical. C took an immediate liking to Mozart's Magical Flute. She absolutely
loved the opera. I would hear her singing the songs in her tiny, perfect four
year-old voice while digging in the sand box, going to the bathroom, and
coloring. I think her preference for it made her sisters a little tired of it,
but we all loved how much C loved the Magical Flute (and still does). I hadn't
planned on taking her this evening. She is still easily bored by having to sit
still and listen for what seems to her a very long time. So, I assumed she
wouldn't be able to enjoy the Requiem. I had forgotten what was like to watch my
mother dress up, do her hair, put on make-up, select jewelry and wanting so much
to be a part of it. Initially, E was to be coming as her Cello instructor
suggested it. But, she got a last minute "opportunity" (new name for babysitting
as we are nearing Christmas) to care for some children down the street. That
left A and I to go alone. As I was twisting A's hair up into doorknobs (a
Swedish twist on dog-ears), C came and begged me to attend. At first I said no,
that it would be too long and she would have to sit still. Then I heard myself
trying to discourage her from attending something that I knew she would be
enthralled by. So, I explained, more positively, about having patience and
listening quietly to the words and music, she nodded all-knowing and quite
eagerly and agreed to do her level best to sit still and to listen. She
absolutely loved it. The program provided background on The Requiem which I
quietly read to both girls. During the Sequenz she pulled on my cuff and
whispered, "Why is the music so sad?" She has always been very sensitive.
Incredible how fast memories come into our heads- I recalled R's grandmother's
funeral. At one point in during the Mass, I began to weep. C was sitting on my
lap, unsure of everything. She could feel my shuddering attempts to keep my
tears quiet. Reaching up and putting her hand on my cheek, she asked my why I
was crying. I told her because I was sad that I would never see daddy's
grandmother again. She listened. Not with ears, but with heart. She began to sob
and shake. So, I held her tightly and we mourned together. I looked at C and
told her that the music was sad because it was about dying and that is something
that makes us sad. As the Sanctus began, she lay her head on my arm and feel
asleep.