There was a little girl...

who grew up to be the beautiful woman at the left. My daughter Carajean is a remarkable woman in many ways. She has always had an extraordinary amount of determination, and when she set a goal for herself, she obtained it no matter what obstacles stood in the way. She underwent surgeries that kept her jaws wired shut for two months at a time, and continued to work a full-time job, a part-time job, and go to college part-time at night. In more recent times, she has become a triumphant breast cancer survivor for over ten years.

As a very petite eleven-year-old in Albuquerque, Carrie came home one day and informed me she wished to play the cello (her friend played cello). I was taken aback because I couldn't picture tiny Carrie lugging a big cello to school, so I convinced her she would be better off playing the viola. From the beginning, her music teachers told me Carrie had a natural ability. She soon played in a performance with the Albuquerque Junior Symphony Orchestra. Upon moving to Dallas, she continued her music lessons, and was invited to play in the Dallas Junior Symphony Orchestra. For some reason, she quickly became bored with that. When she was in the 8th grade, Carajean played her viola alongside her music teacher with two professional orchestras at Easter performances. To maintain her amateur status for state level competition, we had to have her return the money she was paid, which did not sit well with our 13-year-old.

In high school, Carajean moved with her father and stepmother to a city where orchestra was not offered. I was so sad to see her put her viola aside. She played again briefly after graduation while living and studying in Pennsylvania, but again gave it up when she decided to go to college.   She laid down her viola again, not to pick it up for many years. She went on to get her degree in biology, and then attended medical school for a Physician's Assistant degree.

(Carajean practices while helping Mom move.)

After college, a brief career as a Physician's Assistant, marriage, and three children, Carajean decided to make music again -- much to this mother's delight. She played viola, enrolled her girls in the Suzuki method of playing violin; and when her son came along he learned the cello by the same method at a very young age. I don't believe any of the children have the passion for music that Carrie did as a child, but they each continue to play (and play very well indeed) 'til this day. Carajean eventually switched instruments, and now plays violin. She has played with the Amarillo College Chamber Orchestra for the past 17 years. This past weekend her daughter Audrey joined her when the orchestra performed in concert. Carajean is in the front row middle, and daughter Audrey (with bangs) is behind her:

Amarillo College Chamber Orchestra

Next week, Carajean will perform in her first "professional" concert -- at least one when she will be able to keep whatever remuneration she receives! She will play with the West Texas A and M University Choir and Symphony Orchestra, accompanied by the East New Mexico State Choir. They will perform Mozart's Requiem - the piece Mozart was hired to write at the age of 36, and did not live to finish. She is bubbling over with excitement, as she loves this piece. 

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Carrie may not be very happy that I used this venue to brag on her, but I feel that she has a God-given talent. Each of us came to this earth with a purpose -- in some cases, many purposes. Something as precious as a gift of musical talent will not be ignored, even if one waits as many years as my daughter did! Although to play professionally was not a "goal" of Carajean's, she dreamed of playing music at a very young age. It goes to show that it is never too late to realize a dream. One of my daughter's purposes is surely to make beautiful music - and she plays for the sheer joy of it.

Of course, I am also happy she laid aside her musical instrument when she did. Otherwise, she might not have met my wonderful son-in-law Branch in Medical School! And I might not have had the three beautiful grandchildren they gave me...                                                                                                                   

Peace, love, and beautiful music to you all,

Marilyn