Carolyn Thompson in about 1940 When my mother moved back to Utah after many years of living all over the United States, she mentioned that she felt like she had been let out to pasture. I suppose after spending 40 years serving in many capacities in the Church and doing a lot of performing and teaching private lessons, she felt less busy. Less utilized. Less noticed for her talents.
True, she was getting older. Her health was not as good as it had been earlier in her life. But she still felt like she had a lot to give.
To put her situation in perspective, as my dad's work moved us to different places all over America following government contracts, Mom was always fussed over and treated almost like a celebrity. She sang like an angel, she could play the piano very well (many times without even having the music in front of her), she had grand ideas for super activites, and she loved people. And when folks learned that she had sung with the Tabernacle Choir, her social status really shot up.
She made close friends wherever she went. Her usual situation was to hold down several music/activities callings in the Wards and Stakes, teach 20-30 music lessons a week, plus manage her large family. Just having one calling leading the hymns for Sacrament meeting seemed like being let out to pasture indeed.
True, she was getting older. Her health was not as good as it had been earlier in her life. But she still felt like she had a lot to give.
To put her situation in perspective, as my dad's work moved us to different places all over America following government contracts, Mom was always fussed over and treated almost like a celebrity. She sang like an angel, she could play the piano very well (many times without even having the music in front of her), she had grand ideas for super activites, and she loved people. And when folks learned that she had sung with the Tabernacle Choir, her social status really shot up.
She made close friends wherever she went. Her usual situation was to hold down several music/activities callings in the Wards and Stakes, teach 20-30 music lessons a week, plus manage her large family. Just having one calling leading the hymns for Sacrament meeting seemed like being let out to pasture indeed.
Tom and Carolyn Lee about 2000 My mother Carolyn Thompson Lee was pushing 60 when her galavanting days of moving every couple of years came to an end. My father found a new career teaching Physics and Astronomy at the Utah Valley University. He taught there until he turned 89 (his second 30-year career). My dad was also called as Bishop again when they moved to Utah. My mother however was pretty lost.
She was also back in her sister Janie Thompson's rather considerable shadow. Janie was still performing into her 90s. Janie often gave interviews to authors who wrote books and articles about her. My mother went on Janie's many performing dates to accompany her singing, but she didn't get the accolades or recognition that Janie did.
Then, unfortunately in her 70s, dementia set in. Our mother gradually lost her memory of people and experiences during the last ten years of her life. But through it all, even when she was reduced to her essentials, she was still ever sweet. She'd say, "I don't know your name, but I know I love you."
Her musical memory was still amazing, even when she was in the rest home. We'd go spend time with her, push her around in the wheel chair, and sing songs. She could out-sing any of us and still create lovely harmonies and remember all the lyrics.
She would have turned 97 on her birthday June 28th. Oh, how we all still miss her. Whenever I sing the high notes in a choir now, I feel her encouraging me. Especially hearing "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" sung by the Tabernacle Choir during the 4th of July celebrations, I thought of Mom. I am always so happy to sing those high B flats and think of her Gold Record performance with the Choir back in the 1960s. She'll always be a rock star to me.
Love you, Mom.
She was also back in her sister Janie Thompson's rather considerable shadow. Janie was still performing into her 90s. Janie often gave interviews to authors who wrote books and articles about her. My mother went on Janie's many performing dates to accompany her singing, but she didn't get the accolades or recognition that Janie did.
Then, unfortunately in her 70s, dementia set in. Our mother gradually lost her memory of people and experiences during the last ten years of her life. But through it all, even when she was reduced to her essentials, she was still ever sweet. She'd say, "I don't know your name, but I know I love you."
Her musical memory was still amazing, even when she was in the rest home. We'd go spend time with her, push her around in the wheel chair, and sing songs. She could out-sing any of us and still create lovely harmonies and remember all the lyrics.
She would have turned 97 on her birthday June 28th. Oh, how we all still miss her. Whenever I sing the high notes in a choir now, I feel her encouraging me. Especially hearing "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" sung by the Tabernacle Choir during the 4th of July celebrations, I thought of Mom. I am always so happy to sing those high B flats and think of her Gold Record performance with the Choir back in the 1960s. She'll always be a rock star to me.
Love you, Mom.
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