Two areas where I always wished I had talent and never did? Singing and art.
I can sort of carry a tune when I sing. It just isn’t a pretty tune. But I sing in the shower, in the car, and while washing dishes. I also sing at church in the congregation. Don’t get me on my soapbox about singing at church. There are about 800 people in my ward/congregation. If there are 300-400 in a meeting, maybe 15-20 of those sing the hymns.
After college, I spent a semester living in Samoa. Church there was amazing. Everybody sang, and sang loud. Some could sing, some couldn’t. But it all evened out, and the overall product was incredible.
To me, singing at church is a sign of respect and a form of worship that invites the spirit. I hate when only a few out of hundreds are singing. Are they all too lazy to reach for a hymnal? Or all too self conscience about their voices? I realize there will always be a few who have sore throats, are wrangling a child, or have a valid reason for not participating. But I can’t believe that’s the case for most.
If everyone sang, the good singers would drown out the bad ones. Now you won’t find me performing up in the front, because that is not one of my talents. But I will sing with the group. Maybe I’m just bitter because I need the group to sing to drown me out a little. Or a lot.
Anyhoo, on to the art. I have always been fascinated at people with artistic abilities. My artistic curiousity came later in life, and I guess I never tried to pursue or develop any talent there. I don’t know if I could have had talent. But at this point I don’t.
Stinkbug on the other hand… well, we’re seeing some glimmers of hope in her. At three she was coloring better than many kids twice her age. And in the past few months, she has taken up drawing. Her drawings of people are very detailed, down to the eyelashes and fingernails. I am told that is rare at her age. Her four-year-old pictures kick my four-year-old pictures’ butts.
She also has the memory of an elephant. If that elephant thing is true. Where did that come from anyway?
Stinkbug just showed me a new drawing last week. I didn’t know what it was, so I asked her about it. She reminded me of a coloring contest she did from one of my favorite blogs. She hadn’t seen the picture since, but she remembered enough to get sort of close. Check out her picture featured here, and compare it to the little orange cartoon guy in the corner of that site. So the face isn’t exact, but she remembered enough to get the shape and color. Not bad eh? Maybe she’ll have enough artistic talent to make up for my lack of it.
Rachel (Clark) R says:
I am soooo that girl that dies when she has to share the hymn book with someone b/c I soooo die when people have to hear me sing. I can’t read music and I’m totally tone deaf. People always tell me my piano (an attempt to save my children from their mother’s musical lameness) is out of tune. Like I can tell. Love your post, but sorry Rach, not gonna sing louder. I have too much pride for that. And respect for the ears of my neighbors.
Art though. I can do art. Or at least I could. I took art for that easy A in high school and was shocked to learn midway through the semester that I had some talent. I got into it for a while and now I don’t do anything. What does D&C teach us about our talents? Ya, that’s me. Lost. Gone to someone else. I wish someone had encouraged me to develop my talents when I was Stinkbug’s age. She’s got something! Run with it Rach!
March 3rd, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Oh My Stinkin Heck » Blog Archive » Speaking of Childhood artistry…. says:
[…] I received a sweet toddler treat from a 4 year old affectionately called Stinkbug by her mother. […]
March 3rd, 2008 at 5:39 pm
OMSH says:
I’m glad you linked it! I wasn’t sure whether you wanted me to link to your blog or not. If figured since you linked to mine, you didn’t mine. I added a link.
I can’t draw a lick; I’m amazed by what my children produce. Creativity has expanded to many different outlets in our home. It is exciting to watch.
March 3rd, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Sarah says:
I believe that you can anything you want to do. If you want to become a great singer you can. If you want to become a great artist you can. Though it may not come as easily to you as some, and you may not get a recording deal or be featured in a famous museum, it is the enjoyment of expanding yourself that will bring you great satisfaction. I say sing on sister!
March 3rd, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Kanani H. says:
I once tried to expand my singing horizons by taking a singing class in college back when I was married with one kid. I was in a class with a bunch of 18 year old teeny boppers. Anyway, it was the most humiliating thing I have EVER done in my life! And yes, I still suck at singing, BUT I have found that I am more confident when I have to share a hymnal with my neighbor. Now instead of mouthing the words, I actually make sounds come out of my mouth. That’s progress right?
BTW I Love Stinkbug’s drawing!
March 4th, 2008 at 8:43 am
mindi says:
I’m totally with you on the singing in church opinion (singing out of respect)… try singing amongst professional opera singers and Carnegie Hall performers, that’s what is in my ward… makes for a nice Christmas program though.
With me in the audience. 
I was surfing through your links and blogs… how many kids does Danielle have now? Four? Wowsers. Tell her hi from me when you speak next… also, different topic. I’m shopping for a Roomba… I remembered you blogged about it, but it must have been on your old blog. Do you still have it? Would you still recommend it? What series/type did you get- do you know? Just wondering… you can email me back with the answers, if you would. Hope things are settling down a bit for you.
March 4th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Liz C. says:
Cattle Prods.
Cattle Prods Installed In The Pews.
And fired off in a timed sequence, so at least there are rythmic Noises during the singing.
I’m kidding, mostly. I agree, totally. It says right there in scripture to make a JOYFUL NOISE, not necessarily a Skillfull one. I’m a choir director for our congregation, and am constantly pulling out that line to get butts in the seats at practice. It’s working. And I’m tossing HARD music at them, and they’re doing it. They’re doing it with a choir director who can’t actually sight read the bass clef, even!
March 7th, 2008 at 9:48 am
RG in ID says:
Rachel- I can’t believe it’s THAT bad! Remember, this is coming from a girl who can’t sing. I’m not promoting louder singing, just some singing. Or even humming.
Kanani- ok, you’re out of the singing closet. Next Girls of 94 reunion, you’re up for karaoke first!
Mindi- sounds like your ward would drive me to hum. Or maybe even mouth the words. At least I’d go through the motions though.
Liz- LOVE love love the cattle prods. What a great idea! Or have you ever been to the Bugs Life 3D movie at Disneyland? They have something that runs through the benches to make it feel like bugs are crawling under you. Something like that, but with a little shock would be good too.
March 10th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Meridee says:
Rach,
I totally agree with you on the singing at church topic. However, there are some that sing a little too loud. There is one guy in our ward that no matter where you sit during sacrament meeting you hear him. All you have to do is follow the voice-it’s a bit much. Your stinkbug is talented. She draws better than me.
March 13th, 2008 at 10:43 am