11/19/2024
Walking Chip Home
I felt right at home when I became a part of the Vashon Island Threshold Choir last year. It was a perfect fit because singing has given me solace for over 70 years. When a few weeks ago, I heard my high school folk singing partner Chip was in hospice, I knew I needed to sing at his bedside. A mutual friend, Marie (not a singer), suggested we travel from Seattle to San Antonio together to visit him, and so we did.
Before leaving home, I reached out to the San Antonio Threshold Choir, and they immediately responded. A trio could be arranged, and we quickly came up with a bouquet of common songs. Deborah, Bill and Melissa met me at Chip’s house late one hot afternoon. As we tuned up together in the living room, I knew without a doubt that our voices would be a balm for Chip. But when we sang at his bedside, his response was a balm to us all and a very special moment for me. I got a huge grin and a long hug.
So, I extend that hug to everyone who made that moment possible. As for Marie, who had been skeptical about the whole choir thing, upon our return she graciously reported to all Chip’s friends that experiencing a Threshold Choir in action is nothing short of elysian - a blissful experience. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Liz Illg, Vashon Island, WA TC
