First Concert in 5 Years
Here are excerpts from my show at Kremples Center
After 5 years, I found myself able to sing again! I have many things that impinge on my singing ability in regard to my sight, my hearing, my exhaustion, my attention and more. My ability to take a deep breath is kind of slow, but lately it has improved. I still need to read the lyrics off of the page. It seems I can glance at a few lines and remember them, but very quickly my brain heads toward nothingness. I know that is hard to comprehend, and would be a welcomed situation if it wasn’t for wanting so much to remember by heart the words that I once knew so incredibly well. Oh, well. Just after the stroke, one of my doctors said that he expected me to regain most of the brain power that I had lost….I am counting on that. That is what keeps me pushing so hard. Even so, I am grateful to have come so very far as I have.
Krempel’s Center is a place in Portsmouth, Nh, that caters to people with all types of brain injury. I haven’t been able to make use of it so much because I have a young daughter, but the work and community that is built there has a tremendous amount of merit. I am very proud to have performed my first concert there since my stroke. Most humble thanks to Jenny Freeman, who works there, and hired me to sing for the people at Krempel’s Center. After the performance, Jenny said that they would love to have me back to perform again, and so I am planning a return visit sometime after the first of the year.
My mother, whose stories can be heard on this website, always wished that her performances were recorded. It is because of this that I decided to record this performance (even though my voice isn’t what it was or could be- perhaps you can hear me gasping for air and clamoring for a shred of energy) . Regardless- I want my children and grandchildren to be able to hear me sing!
I was accompanied by our friend and local musician and recording engineer, Jim Prendergast (Mill Pond Studios), who also plays (and sings) with my husband, Steve’s band, Great Bay Sailor.
I hope you enjoy this show!
What have they done to my song
Part 2:
Nice to hear you sing again Elizabeth.- What a victory over stroke.- Thanks for the invitation to your party and the wonderful music and friends.- I wish you more success in the future.– You have a beautiful voice.- Keep singing.
You are an inspiration to us all Elizabeth. I had a stroke in 2007 and recovering too.- Been playing the music I love since.– Keep singing.
Elizabeth,
Not only is it wonderful for your children and grandchildren, it is wonderful for those who know you, to hear you sing again. What I heard was the emotion and the feeling that you always sang with and that alone brought a smile to my face. Good luck on the rest of your journey.
Jim
Dear Jim,
Thank you so much for saying that. It felt amazing to be able to do that again, and I look forward to being able to do it more regularly. Best wishes to you and your family.
Eilidh