Do the things that make you happy

I wanted to write a blog today to talk about something that makes me so happy, it’s got nothing to do with a celebrant, whilst also being entirely interlinked. The idea to do what you love is at the heart of my happiness.

2023 was a tricky year for me, 2 different family members were ill, I started a new job and in December, one of the family members was taken into hospital which meant that December which meant that it wasn’t festive, it was just stressful. So over the Christmas period I made a decision to make more time for me. I’ve always loved music and loved singing so I looked up Rock Choir. I’d tried to join in St Helens a couple of years earlier, but then I broke my toe and the delay meant I lost my nerve and so I never went. But with the turbulent 2023 in my rear view, I went onto the Rock Choir website to try and book a taster at my closest choir which was Warrington. But.. I couldn’t find a taster session, so with renewed determination, I decided to just take the plunge, paid the monthly fee and joined.

I turned up for the choir’s first rehearsal in 2023 and immediately loved it. I was greatly warmly by the brilliant Jan and introduced to the choir leader Kathryn and I instantly and brilliantly felt at home. Jan made sure I was sat with some lovely ladies so I had someone to talk to and I was just so proud of myself for taking the leap of faith!

Also, fun fact – every Friday Kathryn sends an email to the choir, like a sort of mini newsletter and in the email on my 1st Friday after that 1st rehearsal, she mentioned that the choir was full and there would be be no more tasters – so I emailed in a panic, worried that I had taken someone’s place – but Kathryn reassured me that all was well – thank god for that!

The first song in that first term for me was 🎵 Green Green Grass by George Ezra 🎵 and I LOVED IT. But do you know what sealed the deal in that 1st rehearsal? There is a point in rehearsal where new members or tasters are asked if they want to go to the front and stand and watch the choir sing a song. So I went to the front and the choir did a brilliant and somewhat moving (for me) rendition of Sweet Child O’Mine by Guns N Roses – M’s favourite song from his most favourite band of all time!

That was just short of 2 years ago and a LOT has happened since then… nothing but good though. I’ve met some lovely people and made some beautiful friends. I’ve performed some big and small gigs and I feel incredibly lucky to have found a hobby that I just adore. I talk about it so much that occasionally people make fun of me or (I am sure) roll their eyes at me when I mention it… but I don’t care…. I just LOVE it and I won’t be made to feel ashamed of that. My gig highlights have been:

• Huge gig at Victoria Baths in Manchester – my husband, mother and father in law, sister, niece, best friend and her husband all came. I was so proud!
• Singing at Walk of Hope Tatton Park for The Christie. Participants were writing the name of their loved and lost ones on a rock, before kissing the rock and throwing it into the mere. Our whole choir found it difficult to sing as the sight of people so upset and emotional whilst casting their rocks made us all cry. A very moving afternoon.
• My 1st year doing Christmas gigs in 2024… I had to learn almost all of the songs independently as the choir had learned them as a whole before I started. It was a challenge, but Ioved it!
• Performing at the BBC in Salford for Comic Relief – and being on BBC1 on the Friday evening… such an honour!
• Performing at the Edinburgh Festival – my first time even attending the Festival and I got to perform! What a dream!

What’s the reason I tell you all this? It’s because as a person and therefore as a celebrant I know how important it is to do what you love. That you only get one life and that memories are what people always crave more of at the end of their life.. more time. So one of the fundamental things I believed when I decided to become a Celebrant is that people should have their life moments celebrated in whatever way makes them happy.

Each and every person is unique and believe me, if you want to welcome your new little one whilst planting a tree in your best wellies or get married in your Crocs or Batman costume or maybe a Snow White bridal gown and dicky bow is more your vibe – then it doesn’t matter – do whatever makes happy, it will be SO worth it!

p.s. just because I love it and it’s less than a week till Christmas as I write, here is my most recent performance in the foyer of Warrington Hospital..

O