(Part 9) For Those Tears

I considered myself very lucky indeed! A kind Purser took pity and provided this queasy traveler with motion sickness pills - upon urgent request. It helped that the seas were calm. A sheet of glass extended out before us as I and other folk stood at the bow of the great ship. A young man stepped to the absolute point of the bow, and motioned down toward the water.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oneeighteen/321556790/

All other thoughts vanished when I saw what he was pointing to - a great abundance of dolphins, jumping up and out of the water, only to plunge back into its depths. They were racing the ship (so it seemed)! 

I had never yet seen a dolphin, let alone an abundance of them! A sweet beginning to the 3 weeks ahead.

An announcement was made that there would be a talent night in the ballroom, that evening. A talent night! I had my guitar, a voice, and a nice dress. I would go!

Into the dress I went, grabbed the guitar, and volunteered. 

After all the performers had finished, it became my turn. As I moved to the microphone in that great room, the lights dimmed and chattering ceased. I knew no one there. Only strangers faced me, expectant.

Taking a breath, the first words of well-loved lyrics began to float out over the room:

Your goodness so great, I can't understand,

But dear Lord, I know that all this was planned.

I know You're here now, and always will be,

Your love loosed my chains, and in You I'm free,

But Jesus, why me?

And Jesus said, 'Come to the water.....'

lyrics and music by Marsha Stevens, 1969

The words which had begun my sojourn in New Zealand were now closing it. Once again, at the chorus, other voices began to blend. Brothers and Sisters out there whom I had not known existed, were there with me. Harmony with Melody, the time honored common ground of music brought together strangers who, as it turned out, were really family.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chewychua/88487196/

See you along the way!

the SconeLady

photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/oneeighteen/321556790/">OneEighteen</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/">cc</a>

photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chewychua/88487196/">Chewy Chua</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">cc</a>