On September 25, 2009

Thoughts go to Georgia today and really for me all week. I laughed as I remember her coming for Thanksgiving in Arizona one year and we tried to make mashed potatoes and kept agreeing that we needed to keep beating the potatoes - then at the feast, gagging at the grossness of them. We had a good laugh. I remember her in joy for all things even the hard things, she kept her head high and just roll up her sleeves, hair in ponies, and getting to it. Whatever she touched she spread her light, it was if it just followed her around. Love you Georgia, Paige

Georgia and Bach G Minor

I just listened to Georgia's Bach G Minor--thanks for putting that up, Kate. What a unique experience to hear that piece, just as I heard it in Recital Hall years ago. I think I was experiencing it both past and present at the same time somehow, and it made me think of how music transcends time, from Bach, to Georgia, to me then, to me now. I was impressed by Georgia's talent when I heard it the first time, but even more by the hidden depth of her artistry and personality. There's something transcendent about her performance of the work, music that goes beyond the bounds of her physical maturity. There was a greatness to her soul that I hadn't discovered until I heard her play this. I bet she and Bach are good friends by now.

Journal Entry Four

May 24, 2002

"I dare say, each day is just plain better with the preface of scripture study. In fact, that is necessary for my soul. It needs peace and help constantly. In Alma 37:34, Alma speaks to his son, Helaman that good works, meekness, lowliness of heart will yield rest to his soul. Isn't that interesting? In the very acts that come difficultly to us are the ones that will give us rest. I can attest to that! Yeah, hiking, dating, blah, blah, blah is exciting and fun, but it never yields the peace of soul that true service of humility does. As I read, my soul was slowly saturated in strength."

New Music Player

As the week of September 25 arrives, I decided it was high time I get the music posted. I apologize for the delay in this. It took some work to get it up, but that is not a great excuse. So, if you scroll down a little you'll find a music player where you can listen to the memorial concert at IU that was put on by Georgia's friends. You'll also hear her playing Bach in her junior recital, Alan de Veritch (my viola professor at IU) and me playing a Handel duet at the Indiana funeral (the duet Georgia and I used to play all the time), and last, but not least, Georgia singing Pie Jesu with her missionary companion in Nauvoo. The recording is very poor because it was done on a tiny hand-held recorder, but I get teary every time I listen to her voice.

Music was and I believe is still a part of Georgia's life, so I am thrilled to add this to the blog. I hope you enjoy the recordings and that it will bring back some good memories as it did for me.

Here's to your beautiful music, Georgia.

Thinking of you today and remembering your love.
-Sally

Nauvoo

Hey there, friend. I spent some time in your old stomping grounds a few weeks ago. That's right, Matt and I made the drive to Nauvoo with our two tiny babies in tow. Ok, they're not tiny, but together their ages barely add up to 3..

Just thought you might like to know it's still beautiful and green and full of fireflies and music and life. The show at the visitor's center has changed, but while I watched it I could still see you in my mind's eye, dancing around and, well, let's be honest, hamming it up. (remember when you winked at me from on stage?)

Didn't make it to Sunset on the Mississippi; had to put the girls down to bed. (vacations are a little different now) But I still remember dancing the Viriginia Reel with you (was it really 9 years ago?) and getting muddy and messy and sticky from all the humidity; and laughing like crazy.

My favorite moment was a late night stroll with Matt through the silent, sleeping streets. The air was cool, but thick with the summer humidity. The stars were out in full force, and the fireflies were going crazy! Every now and then we locked gazes with those piercing green eyes, belonging to the racoons rummaging through the garbage. Did they bother you?

Nauvoo is a special place for our little family. Matt and I both have ancestors who lived in the Beautiful City when it was so new. While we were there, we could feel their love and joy. And I could just imagine how the city streets must have bustled with activity; kids going every which way, women chatting away as they shopped, men working, horses and carriages whizzing past each other. Did you look at it that way? It's special to us too because you were there. I could just imagine how you danced around those streets, singing, sharing the gospel, and brightening up the whole place with your smile.

My daughters' middle names originate from Nauvoo; my 2-yr-old has Lucinda, after a great-grandmother, and my baby has Georgia, after you.

Yes Nauvoo is certainly still beautiful, and green, and lovely, and full of the spirit of those who once walked its beautiful streets; and that includes you, my friend.

An Email From Heaven

I was going through an old (OLD) inbox tonight and found an email that was sent to me from Georgia June 19, 2002. I posted it below. I don't think she'd mind me sharing it with everyone, for it truly shows her love, happiness, and perspective. Favorite sentences - "What is 3 years to eternity?" (She certainly had that right!) and her famous - EEK! (She also asks about my tummy - I was pregnant, FYI!)

I wish I could email you back right now Georgia. I would tell you how much I love you, respect you, miss you, and - you know the rest. I guess this will suffice. Know that I think about you all the time and miss you just as much.

The email:

Hay!
How is everything?! We definitely need to talk about stuff. I understand
about the last time...I was really busy too. Man, my little Brother,
David just went into the MTC and it's so exciting. He's going to
Portugal. We'll have so many family members out and about on missions
soon. Our parents leave for a mission president seminar on Sunday and
then come home for a night and are off to Brazil on Friday! EEk! I'm so
happy for them, though, and couldn't possibly be upset about it because,
what is 3 years to eternity? Anyway, I leave for Austria on July 5th. I
still have a recording for you, and I think I have your address still, so
I'll send it. I'm sorry I haven't yet.
So, how is your tummy? I hope well. I love you so much, and I consider
you just a beautiful person in my life!
Hope we can talk soon!
love
Georg