February 2020: The Present Day
By Jeanine Krause, LSM ‘89-’91
What impact does LSM have on you today?
What is so important to you that you would voluntarily drive hundreds of miles (uphill… both ways) in a snowstorm? Ask me this on any ordinary day and I will respond with a resounding NOTHING!
As this new year dawned, one of our fellow LSM alumni lost his wife to illness. In her mid-40’s, a mother, a talented musician, adored by her family and friends, it feels unreal and definitely out of the ordinary that she left this life.
A collective of LSM alumni made our way through blustery winter weather last month to celebrate the life of this beautiful woman, to embrace her husband and children, and to lift our voices and instruments collectively in song at a time when words alone cannot sufficiently express the strength and weakness of the human condition.
On an “ordinary” day it is easy to pretend we are self-sufficient. Faith, expression through music and community are a routine we practice more out of a sense of duty rather than as a matter of life and death.
Those of us who set up a dutiful practice of Faith, Music, and Community, however, are better equipped when days come that are out of the ordinary.
On such days, snow and miles of driving become merely puzzles to be solved on the way as we go about the business of living out our values; faith, music and community become essential. Nothing can bring back what is lost and yet, we are handed the joy of bearing burdens together.
LSM impacts my life because through my experiences there, the importance of faith, community and the healing and celebratory power of music took hold.
Consider sponsoring an LSM student, either someone you know or allow the LSM staff to connect your support with a deserving young musician. Imagine what your sponsorship would mean to someone since it has the potential to equip them with the values, practices and connections they will need when facing their own set of “out of the ordinary” days.
Is there a young person in your life you would like to see benefit from the values and the connective fiber LSM represents? Please consider nominating a deserving student so we can work together to encourage their LSM enrollment.
As LSM approaches middle age (our 40th anniversary is approaching!) the executive committee and board are looking to us, the alumni to take ownership in the future of the program. In January, the newly formed LSM Advisory Council convened for the first time via video conference. The inaugural council has 16 members so far, primarily alumni, and we have been tasked with pioneering new strategic initiatives for the future of LSM. Stay tuned!