CathSoc's carolling session... on the streets of Hatfield !

It has been several years since I last went carolling with friends on the streets, raising money for charity or doing it just for fun in our little community. As I write this post, my thoughts go to my friends whom I left behind in USJ, Selangor, Malaysia, with whom I used to sing, play and have great fun.


It was Sunday the 12th of December 2010. There it finally was : the opportunity to go carolling. I jumped at the opportunity. After mass at St Peter's, we practised once through in the hall and took to the streets of Hatfield - Bishops Rise, Woods Avenue, Lark Avenue and I forget which other roads... Our goal was to raise money for The Passage, a charity for the homeless. As it was, we already had several gifts to give away to the homeless, and over the days that led to the weekend, we had assembled and wrapped them (sorry, I have no photos of that).


So here's our little journey through Hatfield :


Run through in the hall

Taking off

On the streets

And after the carolling was over, we came back to the hall of St Peter's for food, mulled wine and mince pies !

Thanks to Stacey and Emily for providing some of the pictures ! ^_^

No gift to bring

If I was young, I’d be strong
I’d be ready all along
To give you something from within
Now I am grown, and I fear
That I might never find you here
And I have no gift to bring

All is calm, all is bright
I want to be with you tonight
Unworthy as I am
I want to share in your light
As I play my drum tonight
Though I know where I stand

Please say it’s not too late
To give my heart, to fall prostrate
What can I give, poor as I am ?
Tell me what can I do with these hands ?

This is all I’m able to write for now without having to go all misty-eyed. This vid, this song, is going to be poignant. I was always intrigued by that Christmas carol – The Little Drummer Boy – and I am a drummer myself, albeit a struggling one.

Now picture this : say I am the grown figure, the subject of the song (I’ll be using the name of the main character of CDSN – Aimée Duchemin). The subject of the song is a grown-up young woman, who remembers that God listens to children’s prayers, and wonders if she might have a place with God… now that she’s all grown up. We take the young woman’s personality into account : this kindly young woman has always yearned to play the drums well. And let’s assume that this takes place somewhere else apart from MY, because it doesn’t snow in MY. So in between the story, every now and then, there’ll be a close-up of me singing the lyrics above.

I come out from church, place flowers on mom’s niche, which is all covered in snow, and I walk alone on the snow-covered paths, back home. The lights are all off, except for a lit Christmas tree with presents underneath it, and some star-shaped Christmas lights adorning the living room. There’s a gift which grabs my attention – an unusually bulky one. I take that first, as it has been years since I actually touched a bulky gift. I carefully open the ribbon, then the box. There’s a drum, a nice pair of drumsticks (with grips), and a note :

“Dear Aimée,

If you read this, remember that I’m always in your heart. I’m looking after you and I will always love you.

*I’m sorry, I need to wipe my tears first*

I know how much you’ve longed to show me how good a drummer you were, and I know how much you’d have loved me to guide you. I’m sorry I had to go. I got this some time ago, hoping to give it to you as a surprise gift for Christmas.

Please, don’t be discouraged because I’m not around. Remember, today is a celebration of Jesus’ birth. He wants to come into your heart ; receive him. Don’t hesitate to play your drum – He’s listening. I’m listening. Don’t forget : the rhythm that you play should come from the heart, so give your heart to Him.

Merry Christmas
Love you lots.

Mom”

*okay, I broke down thrice writing this note*

Back to the story : I’m still seated by the Christmas tree. I read the note. Tears well up in my eyes. I put the note aside, strap the drum on my right shoulder and begin playing.

Memories come flowing in. Memories of my childhood. That particular time, back when I was three, when mom gave me the gift of rhythm. Happy thoughts. Sad ones. I look up to the ceiling, tears still in my eyes. I close my eyes and I pound on the drum with all that my heart can give.

I end, quite abruptly, and I break down. A heavenly light beams from outside the window…


So that's how the vid shall end.


I don't know if I'll ever feel the same banging the drums on Christmas morning. But I hope that there'd be a greater presence in my heart - His presence - so I know I won't be left unguided.

Quand j'écris, je parle

J’ai une tendance d’écrire comme je parle. Et puis je ne suis pas diplomatique – la plupart de fois je suis mes pensées. Ça ne parait pas très joli sur mon blog, mais voilà… à chaque article, je vous parle. J’interagis avec vous et j’essaie de vous convaincre, même si avec mon niveau de français, c’est difficile.

En plus, je veux que vous remarquiez que c’est un blog. Et comme c’est un blog, j’écris en suivant mes opinions. Je n’ai l’intention d’être ni injurieuse, ni raciste. Ce que je veux vraiment présenter sur ce blog, c’est la vérité, la réalité des choses, même si elle parait plutôt absurde. Alors si j’ai offensé n’importe qui par les mots que j’ai écrits dans mes articles, je suis désolée. Mais pour l’amour de la vérité, je n’effacerai pas ces mots de ces pages. Pourtant, je les corrigerai, mais seulement si c’est nécessaire……

Bon. Là, je crois que c’est résolu…

Au fait, j’ai lancé un projet pour aider les pauvres. Je l’ai conçu vers la fin de l’année dernière – on ne va pas donner de l’argent comme ça, car je sais qu’on va seulement dépenser les pièces. On ne va pas donner des vieux vêtements, car je sais qu’on va juste donner aux pauvres les vêtements déchirés…

J’ai pensé à regrouper mes amis – ceux qui savent faire de la musique – et on va enregistrer un album. 100% de l’argent qu’on reçoit va aux pauvres – on ne retiendra rien.

Maintenant j’ai vraiment besoin des supporteurs et des sponsors, parce que je sais les sessions d’enregistrement seront chères. Et puis il y a la distribution et la promotion à discuter……