Exclaim

July 2, 2009

Lest you wondered whether I would have enough room to store all the lanyards that Friends of Erin have made on the four Fridays we have met this summer, worry no longer. My California sister-in-law texted me Sunday night.

Quin: How many lanyards do you have in stock?

Vickie: About 50.

Quin: What about necklaces and eyeglasses chains?

Vickie: A few of each.

Quin: Overnight all please.

And the people exclaimed, "Wow!"

This was just days after Elaine had returned from Mo Ranch, having taken about 15 lanyards and returned with one and a big pile of donations. So, stocks depleted, we have to have another push. Luckily, a goodly number of folks have Friday off this week, and what better way to warm yourself up for a three-day weekend and big Independence Day celebrations, than to squint and work your fingers to the bone stringing beads? (NOTE BENE: I do offer refreshments and lively wit in exchange for labor. Apparently, those inducements are enough to prompt a dozen novice lanyarders (?) to commit to dropping by tomorrow. And the people exclaimed, "Wow!" )

I have also had equally good fortune collecting your responses to Erin's health insurance questionnaire. As of this morning 101 kind friends have taken the time to tell me their experiences and opinions about health insurance (And the people exclaimed, "Wow!"). I want to begin compiling the responses, but I also know several of you have just not had time to click on the link on the left side bar yet. I will leave the survey open until the 10th, just for you. I'd sure like to know what happened in your family if you ever had to go without insurance, even for a short while.

On other fronts, I finished reviewing the book manuscript for Texas A&M University Press I had worked on since our DC/New York trip. And Mary Lenn exclaimed, "Wow!"

I hope the people have not exclaimed themselves into a pile of limp rags, because I have one more for you.

You know that Erin loved to sing even though I think it would be kind to say that singing wasn't her most well-developed gift. She sang in the BISD Honor choir, always starred enthusiastically as a member of the chorus at Creative Arts Camp (front row, second from the left), and played Queen Jezebel in our church's musical production of Elijah (if you fast forward the video to about 30 seconds in you can hear her in action).





Why bring this up now? Another fine thing has happened that lets the ripples created by Erin's short, but powerful life continue to spread. We had a meeting with the music director at a local church this week (not our church, and not even a church that we had ever visited), who wanted our permission to commission a chorale work and dedicate it to Erin. Mark your calenders. The world premier performance of what right now is known as The Erin Anthem (but which, will no doubt have a fancier title by then) will occur at A&M First United Methodist Church in College Station on January 24, 2010. Everyone is invited.

And the people exclaimed, "Wow!"