Fiddler on the Roof Performance
Mood:  happy
Gabe had been rehearsing his role of Lazar Wolf (the Butcher) since Late September. He had after-school rehearsals 3-4 times a week, including 3 hours on Saturday mornings. Although the "bottle dance" component fell apart 3 days before the 1 st performance (the bottles failed to stay on the guys' heads with the magentic device) the show was still a BLAST!

I deliberatly stayed away from any rehersals to keep the element of suprise. It was worth it, sice I was treated to seeing Gabe with nimblefeet & dancing across the stage with purpose & grace. He & the lead role (Patrick as Tevye) had great banter with Tevye's accent right on target.

This group of 35-40 kids became like a family throughout this process. Gabe would tell me about the group hugs & prayer circles they had prior to each performance. No matter what social clique they belonged to outside the theatre, they left it at the stage door. It is wonderful to see the connection he has made with his classmates in this performance adventure....

Now, on to the next set of rehersals for Show Choir & Young Men's Ensemble! I need to come up for air!!!

Katrina Leaves Her Mark
Mood:  sad


Photo from the Florida Sun Sentinel...

Well, we saw the reports over the weekend. Not sure what was expected, flood, wind damage, & the personal stories (reminds me of the Tsunami from Indonesia). Tonight, as I arrived home to turn on the news, there it was, the reality of the devastation.

People being plucked from rooftop "islands"... why did they think they could outsmart the storm?!?

Historic French Quarter In New Orleans... gone forever, washed away with the water

But, what really hit me was seeing people overcome (by stress, overwhelmed by the event) & had died out in the abandoned streets, reporters, relief workers walking past them to help the others. Someone had a report about it & it was stated, "... we just don't have time, we have to take care of the living". What an awful way to go...

Of those who have survived, it certainly isn't over by a long shot. The harsh reality is just beginning.

As I write this, I feel a need to help in some way. Reach out to someone who is directly suffering & DO SOMETHING. "Lucky us" in the midwest who have a little distance from the camera lens & the water lapping at your toes.

As I turn in this evening... I will try to focus my task of doing something for those who now need someone.