Alive with Song

I would say one of the most difficult parts of living abroad has been the social aspect. Exacerbated by the pandemic, that part of my settling in has been quite slow. A while back I joined an online Meetup group run by Michael, a man who posts different cultural events happening in the Glasgow area and organizes members of the group to attend jointly. I’ve attended just a few activities so far but have really appreciated his efforts.

Recently, he shared that he was a member of the Glasgow Cathedral Choral Society and that the choir was giving a concert at the Cathedral. Michael arranged a meeting at a nearby pub for a drink/bite before the concert. Thankfully, we sat outside in the beer garden and far away from some very rowdy Celtic football (soccer) fans inside. I sat next to a man who was just starting to get out socially again after losing his wife from MS. It reminded that we’re all beginning again in our own way.

Some months back, I wrote about my visit to the Glasgow Cathedral. At the time, my visit was more of a touristic one. It was a really different experience last night having the chance to see and feel the ancient church come alive with music – feeling the enormous vaulted space fill with the vibration of the organ and the choir as the early evening sun (yes, sun!) filtered through the stained windows.

As I left the Cathedral and walked back to center city to catch the bus home, I heard another song amidst the noise of the city that caused me to pause – a blackbird singing its evening song. A marvel in its own right.

Common Blackbird sound courtesy of Niels Krabbe
from xeno-canto.org

Wishing you songs that gladden your heart.