Personal Narrative: Far From Religion

I am far from religious, yet I attend church every Sunday morning. I started when my school choir teacher recruited me to assist his church choir comprised mostly of inexperienced senior citizens. However, it quickly evolved into my integration into a community that was unexpectedly happy to have me. Every rehearsal, I sit between Ruth and Barb, who are five times my age, and we chat about everything from the weather to my future. Then, we sing numerous hymns and the ladies beside me are always complimenting my ability to sing for hours with no complaints. I don't truly understand the hymns, or religion in general for that matter, but I do respect and appreciate the value of music in any and all communities.

On Sunday mornings, when I am visibly
lost in prayers that I have never heard before, yet everyone else has been reciting since they were children, I am surrounded by warm, understanding, smiles. Thus, I sing a little louder when we perform so they have a voice to rely on. My fellow choir members hail from a different generation and belong to a group that I once believed was not meant for an outsider like myself. Yet, I feel at home in our church, where I am privileged to share my passion for music just as they share theirs for God.