Ave Maria...

Ave Maria is my favorite Christmas song. The reason is clear from my last post. Of every artist of which I could have chosen, why did I pick this one? I picked Celtic Woman because, this is the closest one to Wendy's young voice. Yes, my sweet daughter has a classically trained angelic soprano voice.

By the time she was age twelve. Wendy was singing in French, Italian, German, and English. She used to practice everyday standing in the kitchen while I fixed dinner. So, everyday I fixed dinner listening to the sweetest voice I have ever known. Wendy continued voice training until she finished college. My fondest memory, cooking dinner while going to the Metropolitain. I remember peeling potatoes with my back turned to the sink, while tears streamed into the sink. I remember grabbing the sink with both hands to steady myself when she would hit a high C, E, and yes, A.

Wendy had many songs in her repertoire, but O Holy Night and Ave Maria were my favorite. After all, they are as close to any angelic song, which could have been sung that evening long ago announcing the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.

Wendy's voice was as clear as any angel. Although, I am her Mother. Wendy and I would travel to nursing homes where I would play the piano and she would sing, bringing tears to those in the attendance. Not only to the residents, but also the staff. I would look for any venue in which Wendy could practice singing to an audience. In the beginning she was very shy and for her this would be a difficult task. The first time she sang O Holy Night in church, she trembled. Yet, even though she was nervous with stage fright, and also by the large quite critical audience, she never missed a note.

Until Wendy finished college and became a working adult, she and I would favor certain neighbors with her beautiful voice as we Christmas caroled. I should say she would sing, and I would listen. I only rang in on the last verse of We Wish You A Merry Christmas. In thinking back, I often wonder how she sang so beautifully, bundled up on such cold winter evenings. I never questioned then, although now I am a amazed.

I have such fond memories of Christmas past shared with my only daughter, my dear, darling Wendy.