Maestro's unfinished legacy, Dale mcMurray [read any book txt] 📗

A Maestro's unfinished legacy.

The day was bright as the Hearse stopped alongside the gravesite. All her friends and family had gathered to say their last goodbyes. They were dressed in their Sunday best. The day was warm and many of the ladies wore brightly colored dresses and the men wore neat but casual attire despite the somber occasion. They knew that Lottie would not want an day of mourning. She had always wanted a Irish Wake. And they were determined to give her a just that. Her Minister his head slightly lowered after everyone had gathered aroung her casket,read the funeral prayers. Afterward he added some of his personal memories of Lottie.

Most of us wondered if her daughter Fiona would show up. Since she and Lottie and had that fight three years ago, no one had seen her, not even her father Sam. Lottie had stopped singing after Fiona left. The Choir was never the same. Lottie was their inspiration as she led their voices in praise of God. The chair that had been set for Fiona at the gravesite was still empty, and Someone had draped a choir robe over it.
When it came to singing Fiona was even better than Lottie. Lottie wanted her to become the new Choirmaster. But Fiona wanted to travel. She was not the child Lottie wanted her to be and Fiona was hurt in that strange way that things happen, Fiona was hurt by her mother's reaction. Fiona felt that she was not respected for her own dedication to God's woek. So much different than her mother's expectations.
When she left without a word Lottie closed herself to her music. The silence and bitterness she felt seemed to bring on her death.
Even her husband could not live in the same house with the cruel person his beloved Lottie had become. Lottie would not leave the music room. She slept and took meals there. Eventually she stopped eatng all together. Her only nourishment became the bottles of Irish Whiskey her housekeeper replaced everyday. She stopped singing and finally talking. The Music room became as cold as a tomb. She gave no love. For all this she blamed Fiona, once her beloved daughter- how could her own child be so ungrateful? But it was Lottie's encouragement that had given the strenght to the girl to stand up to Lottie and to leave the only home she had ever known to find out who she truly was.
As the service ended all were asked to say a few words. No one spoke of the last few years . They only mentioned better times when there was laughter. Now as the graveside services ended the ladies of her choir sang one of her favorite song as the final goodbye.
We all walked back to our cars. Suddenly a voice sang out Ave Maria,Lottie's signature song that had always ended special church services. We walked returned to the gravesite, and standing there in a choir robe was Fiona. She was pale and her voice quivered as she sang. Lottie's final wish was that Fiona sing for her one last time. The choir gathered around her Fiona stood out in front of them as they sang the chorus. The solo was sad and sweet. The Church had a new Maestro. Lottie's Legacy is lost no more.

Publication Date: 04-30-2011

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