Elvis and Georgia

I find Georgia in the strangest of places. She sends me constant reminders that she is always around. This week in the hustle and bustle of Christmas, I found Georgia in Elvis's "Blue Christmas" of all places.

I was driving all over southern Maryland, store after store, grocery shopping for Christmas dinner, present hunting for five little kids and a husband, stocking stuffers, and Christmas deliveries, all with the radio station on playing 24/7 Christmas music. And then I heard "The King" crooning his famous "Blue Christmas" through the speakers in my car. I started singing along, trying to mimic Elvis's unique sound. And then I had this sudden flashback to my IU days with Georgia.

We were at a Christmas party at Rebecca (Naegle) Nichols's apartment. She had a karaoke machine, and we were each taking turns singing along to famous Christmas songs. And Georgia, in her true fashion, picked the song that least fit her angelic voice - Elvis's "Blue Christmas." But she didn't just sing it, she asked a friend (I forget who) to lay down on the ground while Georgia sat on her tummy, and the friend made her legs kick and dance around like they were Georgia's. All the while, Georgia was singing like Elvis.

We were all laughing hysterically then, and I began to laugh while driving in my car. And then I realized the words I was singing along to that Georgia sang so many years before:

"I’ll have a blue Christmas without you.
I’ll be so blue just thinking about you.
Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree
Won’t be the same dear, if you’re not here with me.

And when the blue snowflakes start falling
That’s when those blue memories start calling.
You’ll be doing alright with your Christmas of white
But I’ll have a blue Christmas."

I suddenly began to miss her so much, and thought how true those silly lyrics were as they applied to my sweet Georgia. I thought about her and my other wonderful Quarter Notes and all of those Christmases we played together all over SLC - Beehive House, Temple Square, YACP, rest homes, sacrament meetings, weddings, and the list goes on. My heart ached - but only for a moment, because I realized something else. We might be having a "Blue Christmas" without her, but she is most definitely having a pure, holy, and beautiful "Christmas of white" where she is right now, just like silly old Elvis said. And because of the birth of that little baby in a manger, Christmas without Georgia is most definitely a sweeter thing because of the Atonement and the Resurrection.

I think Georgia sent me that reminder through Elvis's words on the radio this week as a little Christmas present from heaven. I find her in the strangest of places, and yet it makes life so enjoyable that way.

Thanks Georgia. I love you and miss you so much. Merry Christmas, dear friend!

Journal entries from Lexye Lund Thiele

Wednesday, September 25th, 2002
"I cannot express exactly how I'm feeling, but that of great sorrow and yet, peace. Alice Ashton called tonight to tell me that Georgia Marriott, my best friend since we were about 5, passed away this evening. Dear, sweet, wonderful Georgia! Oh, how I love her! I love her with all my heart. She has truly been my role model every since I've known her. If someone has been capable of living a perfect life, she has. She absolutely loved life! Every minute of it! And she generously shared her joy with all around her. I think of the scripture Mosiah 18:9 - "...to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death....that ye may have eternal life." She will be so missed. I am comforted by the Spirit, and in knowing that I will see Georgia again! :) We'll play duets and eat gummy bears and sing songs in heaven. How I love that girl! She is truly a bosom friend. It is hard to imagine/think of life without Georgia. What a precious, pure, beautiful jewel she is! It makes me want to join her. :) She's probably already touching lives here and there, meeting people, and reuniting with old friends. I bet that her passing away will ultimately bring hundreds to the knowledge of the gospel. I was reading today in Alma chapter 24, and it says, "thus we see that the Lord worketh in many ways to the salvation of his people." The righteous people were slain, and as a result, more than a thousand people were brought to the knowledge of the truth. Georgia is such an incredible missionary and always will be! I know she is even now serving and she's in good hands." :)


Thursday, September 26th, 2002
"The Lord is so quick to give comfort to His children. I can't comprehend the love He must have for all of us. I had a tender experience at the temple today. I did an endowment session for Mary Casselman, one of my ancestors. I looked at the card and saw that she was born on 12 November in Indiana. As you may know, Georgia's birthday is November 16th, and she passed away in Indiana. I liked to think of it as doing a session for her as well, :) since she has not yet been endowed [at least to my knowledge at the time - I apologize if I was wrong about that]. Who knows what sort of miraculous things she is doing right now?! :) What an angel she is! I felt very warm and extremely comforted and loved as I sat in the Celestial Room and sobbed. It was as if a soft blanket was wrapped around me. I can't imagine the joy Georgia must feel to be with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Yay! What a glorious thought!"

Monday, September 30th, 2002
"Today I have been filled with inspiration and peace and joy. Mom, Rosalie, Jeanette, and I attended the viewing and funeral for Georgia. Wow! It was so uplifting and powerful! The Spirit was overflowing. So was the stake center - so many people who love her dearly. :) I am amazed by the strength and faith of the entire Marriott family. They truly put their trust in the Lord and let Him take care of everything. They told me they trust the Lord's timetable, they know that Georgia is where she's supposed to be, and that she is very happy. :) Here they are comforting all of us. David said to me, "What are you crying for? Georgia would want us to be happy." Words cannot describe what incredible, faithful people they are. There was such a peaceful feeling in that room where Georgia lay. The tributes and talks were very powerful, beautiful, endearing, uplifting. The music was heavenly. I know Georgia was there, probably singing and playing with them. What a glorious, tremendous human being she is! They shared letters and journal entires of hers, including her testimony, which blew everyone away. She exemplifies one who lived a life dedicated to the Lord, in service, love, joy, and gladness. Georgia is a light to all who know her. She radiates with the spirit, giving off love and joy. They spoke of her spirituality, as well as her bright, fun, silly personality. :) What a joy she is! 'm sure she's very happy and serving faithfully with all of her might. It was a strengthening, testimony-building meeting. Wow! I love Georgia so much and look forward to seeing her again."

I love you, Georgia!!!

Lexye

Tribute from Lexye

Dearest Georgia! :) HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

I just recently discovered this glorious blog, and have since devoured every last entry! What a spiritual feast! My soul is bursting with all kinds of emotions - you see, I have had very little contact with your family these past 8 years, unfortunately, so I've never been able to share all the wonderful thoughts and memories of you with them. After I got home from my mission, I got married and soon after moved to Texas, and we've been here ever since. I can't even tell you how refreshing it has been to read about you this past while - from those who love and cherish you as I do! I don't even know where to start, but I'd like to share a few of my journal entries with you. First I'll give a little background....

When I received word you had passed away, I sobbed until my body couldn't produce any more tears. I pleaded with the Lord for comfort. Then I opened up the scriptures and read Mosiah 16:8 - "But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ." I was so struck by these words. I already had a testimony of the Resurrection, and I knew I'd see you again. But it never had occurred to me that the pain, or the "sting" of your death, could be "swallowed up" through the Atonement as well. At that moment I could relate to Alma when he said, "And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!....there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again....on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy."

At the time, I was completely immersed in the missionary discussions, getting ready to enter the MTC. As I look back, I know that the timing of my mission was a tender mercy from the Lord. I thought it strange when I received my call that I still had to wait almost 4 1/2 months before I would enter the MTC. Maybe that's common to have that long of a gap, I don't know. Either way, I am so grateful I was able to see you one last time - my mission farewell was the day before your funeral. I have always viewed it as a "double farewell" - I was off to NYC to preach to the people in Manhattan, and you were whisked away to Heaven, to preach to the spirits there. Remember how we would talk about being missionary companions? Well, perhaps we had our wish - building the Kingdom together, on both sides of the veil. :) I was privileged to take my violin with me, which I had named after you. :) Every time I played, I thought of you, and there were times I felt that you were so near. Those moments are very sacred to me and I will continue to treasure them. Like I said, my soul is overflowing with memories, but I guess I'll just start here, with the journal entries....

From Georgia's Journal on her Birthday

Happy Birthday, Georgia!  Today you would be 30 earth years old.  I looked back ten years ago in your journals and I thought your brothers and sisters would like to hear some of the things you wrote when you were a 20 year old at IU….

November 12, 2000

Sundays are wonderful.  Especially ever since I made the goal to take Sunday off completely and give it to the Lord.  I am able to rest and patch up the wounds or rough spots on my soul from the week.  Tonight we had a special fireside given by President Hinckley to the youth of the church – what a wonderful man!  After firesides I usually get all sad because it’s like I have to change my focus from the spiritual things I had just heard to things more of the world.  But this time, I went away invigorated, ready to face my monstrous week and the world, comfortable in the sureness of this church.

November 18, 2000

My birthday was wonderful.  Kate went all out with it.  She had people come over in the morning and surprise me.  It wasn’t the most pleasant surprise because I had just gotten out of the shower….it was quite humorous.  Anyway, I got to school and there were fliers all over the music school with random pictures of me all over them, saying ‘Happy Birthday Georgia!” Wow, I was surprised.  There were also baby pictures all over the place!  I warmed up to the idea as the day went on and it gave me a chuckle every once in a while,  esp. when people I had never met told me happy birthday. ..anyway the day was great and low-key – just how I like it. 

Kate made it special and gave me various presents throughout the day.  In master class the studio sang to me and after, Kate, Christian and William honored me by giving presents and watching “Singing in the Rain.”  Still love that movie.  The best gift, though was a little book of note paper shaped as a boot.  Inside, Kate had asked all of my good friends at IU to sign it, writing what they loved about me.  It meant so much to me.  I think every person should have a day like that, when they feel loved and needed.  It was a great birthday.

March 3, 2001

There is something so pure and healing in the morning sun, coming through the windows, spilling out on me.  The view ahead of me is simply lovely flowers that I picked out for Kate for her senior recital last night.  And next to me…sacred music is filling the apartment.  I want only to be close to love and truth and joy.  All of those things are found within my family.  What I feel there is inexpressible, quite honestly. I know that is eternal and real and true—it will never leave me, and why?  Because it is founded on this church –Christ’s church. 

March 17 President Hinckley will be at Kate and Christian's wedding dinner tomorrow because he is related to Christian.  So exciting—I can’t wait to see him!

March 18, 2001

The wedding was beautiful!  Kate looked gorgeous and was beaming despite the load of snow that was dumped on the day.  It was a long day but worth seeing the way Kate and Christian looked at each other and the spirit of love surrounding them.  My (patriarchal) blessing said that my husband is preparing and will be waiting for me.  Anyway, I was Kate’s maid of honor and I just love her.  My dress was a little too tight and by the end of the long night of dancing at the reception (so fun with my whole family) I had a hole in my armpit.  So it didn’t really matter when I jumped up in the air and caught the bouquet of flowers while ripping basically the whole armpit (of the dress). Life is so rich in blessings.

Today was Adam’s farewell and it was so special….my little brothers got up and each recited a scripture and why they love it.  My brothers are noble, wonderful people!  Then Caroline, Paige and I struggled through a trio – ‘Here Am I’- neat song, hard harmony.  Paige swayed back and forth between alto and soprano and caused me a few chuckles…the older boys sang “In This Very Room” beautifully - and then Adam.  He is powerful!  He is a true servant and son of God. …I know he will be a marvelous missionary.  His talk was strong and sure…I love him and know he will be blessed in Korea.   For the closing hymn my family all sang “Go Ye Now in Peace.”  It was so awesome to be with all of them. (minus Kate)  My testimony of family cannot and will not ever be shaken.  It is my greatest blessing and joy in this world.  I know it is divine and without it I would not be happy. I am so grateful for righteous parents who put the Lord first and taught me in his ways.  What light has poured into my mind this week as I sought God and found him.

The dinner with the Mitchells and the Prophet was good.  I talked to President Hinckley’s wife a little and she is beautiful and so meek.  I could feel a genuine interest and love for me emitting from her.  She said, “Thank you for talking to me.”  Later Cannon and I sang “Pie Jesu” and it was so special, the spirit was there.  She reached up to grab my hand to thank me as I walked back to my seat.

April 1, 2001

How can I discern evil from good?....Only by trusting Christ and the Father, only by following the spirit.  Only by truly being humble, sincere, and honest with myself, God and others.  Only by denying myself of ungodliness –by doing that I lose nothing of worth. (L. Aldin Porter said that, I love that!)  Only by faith, hope, and charity.  Only by holding fast to God’s word.  I’m certain these are right.  I hope to do them all  -- I pray I can come closer and be saved.  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

Love, Georgia

And so, there is a little glimpse into your sister’s heart on her birthday, isn’t she funny?  And deep?  And earnest?  And deeply spiritual…. Happy Birthday dear daughter.

Love, Mom

Happy 30th

I had a rough night last night, as all moms do at times, and I woke up dreading the day until I remembered it was Georgia's birthday.  It's changed my thoughts and in turn, my actions, and that is what is so special about Georgia's legacy.  The good way she lived her life is something she can take with her to heaven, but ironically, it's also something she was able to leave behind.  I love her.  Happy Birthday!

A Little Elgar

Last night I dreamed that I was asked to speak at Georgia's funeral. When I arrived at the church, I found Cami and Haleigh on the stand, ready to speak as well. We were so glad to see each other and celebrate Georgia's life. I remember not feeling sorrow, just feeling like I missed her.

I chose to speak about how playing music with Georgia was like being her friend in life, and for some reason I centered my remarks on a piece by Elgar that we as a quartet had played with the Young Artist Chamber Players: Elgar's Introduction and Allegro for Solo String Quartet and String Orchestra. I spoke about how Georgia was reliable, how you could always count on her to give you the right cue and bring you in at the right time. I spoke about how there was a strength in her sound which gave you confidence to play your part with equal strength. I spoke about how she sometimes smiled when she played to reassure you that your parts were fitting together correctly. And I spoke about how if she played an out of tune note here or there, she wasn't bothered by it and just moved on. I spoke about how these lessons have given me strength as a musician, a person, a mother, and a friend.

And I woke up with the image in my mind of Georgia sitting across the quartet from me, and the sounds of the Elgar in my ears.

This week, I saw the same sketch on the same shelf that Brit saw it (see her post below). My daughter is learning from Georgia's violin teacher and playing Georgia's small violin. Before the teacher came in to start the lesson, I pointed to the sketch and said, "That's Georgia. She played the violin you are holding almost 30 years ago. She learned from the your same teacher." During the lesson that day, the teacher commented that the violin had a great sound.
Georgia, I feel honored and happy to have my daughter, Ashley, playing your old violin - playing "tuckas" just as you did, in the same home you learned. We love you, Georgia. May she make beautiful music as you did!
your eternal brother,
Cannon

A Long-Overdue Thank You

Tonight I played Dvorak's "American" String Quartet in Aspen's Harris Hall. All week as we've been rehearsing, I have been thinking back to watching Georgia, Peter Moench, and my brother Jon play it together. They loved that piece, and I love it too, all the more because I looked up to those people so much. Tonight I dedicated my performance to the memory of Georgia and Peter, and I felt close to them as we went through the joy, pathos, and humor in those movements.

I'm grateful to have known Georgia. She has always been someone I want to emulate. I was the lucky recipient of the first scholarship in her honor, and it helped me as I went away to music school, and not just financially. Georgia is often in my thoughts, as I think about the wonderful effect she has had on those around her. I grew up watching her beautiful smile and good humor, which got passed on to me even though I was the annoying little sister of one of her best friends.

As I walked on stage tonight, I went in not thinking about myself but instead about Georgia. I wanted to have the audience really feel something and make real connections with my colleagues. I feel that our performance was blessed and elevated to a higher level, and I hope that Georgia and Peter enjoyed it.

I just want to say thank you to the Marriots, and all the other wonderful people in the Utah music world that have given me ambition and shown me that you can be in this crazy business and still come out of it a good person. Georgia is a motivator, and her influence continues to be felt. Thank you, Georgia.

Megan Mason

A Portrait

I saw you today. Well, not you, but a portrait of you. I took my little niece to her violin lesson and my three-year old daughter came to watch. As we sat in that studio, where you spent so many hours and learned so many things from that most amazing of teachers, my head swam with loads of new information, and my eyes wandered for a second to take in my surroundings. They stopped short when, in a tiny little frame on the top shelf of a book case, I saw this:




My word, you are dear to so many people.

I let my imagination run a bit, wondering what you looked like as a 4-yr old twinkler, wondering how your mom took notes, how she practiced with you, wondering what kept you going on the journey of learning to play the violin.

As I embark on that journey with my own daughter, I will keep that portrait of you in mind, to remind me that the practicing and lessons and technique and hours of work are to help her become a beautiful woman, with a beautiful heart, like you.

Spring

I changed the blog look, just for a little, well, change.  Hope you like the fresher look for spring.  I thought it was whimsical and a little bit "Georgia".  The unfortunate part is that now it seems the music player is not functioning.  I'm not a pro-blogger, so that will have to wait for a facelift from Christian when he gets the time to adjust the size of the player.  My apologies to you all if you were wanting to listen in the mean time.  Of course, any suggestions on the blog layout, etc. will happily be considered, so comment away, or email me.  I think of myself as "in training" so be patient.

A Dream

From my journal entry dated Monday, February 15, 2010

"It's early in the morning. I just woke up from a dream about Georgia. Mike and I were back in Indiana for some reason. He and Stephen were taking me to a dentist's appointment. While in the waiting room, we heard that Georgia's friends and family were gathering on the IU campus. We had been waiting 45 minutes for my dental appointment and hadn't been seen. All of her friends and family were gathering at 11am, and it was 10:45am. I went and told the receptionist I had to leave. When asked why, I began crying and shared the story of Georgia with her, and bore my testimony. As Mike, Steve, and I headed out to the bus that would take us to the building we needed, we were slowly joined one by one by friends from IU that weren't members. I specifically remember Jimmy Turel. When we made it to the building, I remembered it to be of great importance to me, a place that Georgia and I had gone often together on campus. Georgia's mom was bearing a powerful testimony of Georgia's life. We sat down and listened with great intent. The spirit was strong. When the meeting ended, I looked around and saw that Brittany and her husband were there, as well as Cami and her husband. We embraced each other with great emotion, and just sobbed and sobbed. Before I could talk to anyone about Georgia's spirit that seemed to be so present in that room, my dream seemed to vanish and slip away from me. It seemed to be a testimony to me that Georgia's influence is still around us always, and her testimony is still as radiant as ever. She is still touching lives from her side of the veil, and she still has time to send those little reminders to her loved ones whenever she can. That great friendship can be felt from her still, and won't be broken through death."

psst psst chukka chukka {smack} {click} ahhhhh!

Sometimes I wish...

I know, I know...Georgia is where she's supposed to be. I know. And, sometimes, along with that knowledge, I wish that I could see an updated picture of her. I love the pictures she left for us. She is truly beautiful. It's just that this holiday, I found myself wishing that I could see a new picture of her THIS Christmas. With the family. Nieces and nephews climbing on her. Laughing at her brothers. Flopping on me. I miss her. She is the standard for us in being kind, loving, faithful and generous. I wish I could have an updated picture of that George we love.