The Finer Things In Life

I've never considered myself a materialistic person. It wasn't my ambition to have all the finer things in life, but when I had an opportunity to experience some of them, I thoroughly enjoyed them. As I was listening to my google dot play some of the most wonderful piano instrumental music of worship, it took me back to when I first was exposed to classical music. I'm thinking I was about nine years old and in 4th grade. We used to take these wonderful field trips back in 1968/1969. We were part of an integration program when the government decided it was in our children's best interest after initiating segregation many years before, to bring all members of diverse ethnicity back together. Because I grew up in the Los Angeles area, our "diverse" communities were the black and Mexican cultures.  I can't remember the acronym they used, but they had one. My classroom was integrated with children from Inglewood who were black. I was partnered with a little girl named Vanessa Frazier. Oh how I grew to love my new little friend. She was so full of personality and curiosity. By the end of our school year and when the program was discontinued, we had grown to be wonderful friends.

Well one of our first field trips was to Watts Towers. This was an incredible art display that one single man built over a period of several years. In today's art world, his art would be considered junk art, because quite frankly he used a lot of what is considered junk to make the most intricate and beautiful towers of glass imbedded into concrete towers. I remember so many fascinating items that he had collected and how he used them for patterns he created that were so pleasing to look at. I believe that was also one of my first exposures to the art world.

We also went into downtown Los Angeles and visited all the historical museums there. There was so much to take in. All the history and artifacts that were there for us to see. I also remember that we sat on some steps and together ate our sack lunches that had been prepared just for our field trip that day. However, soon after that field trip was my most favorite field trip I had ever attended. We went to a theatre in downtown Los Angeles and saw an opera of Jack and the Beanstalk. Oh the music of the symphony and the voices of the singers and actresses and actors. It was the most beautiful sound. The music could be felt in my body as I sat there and just took it all in. The costumes were beyond colorful and amazing. I believe that is where I got my love for live theatre. To this day the sound of a trained voice will give me goosebumps and get me very emotional. Oh and when I hear a child play instruments or sing -- it moves me beyond words. What an experience.

I've had the opportunity to attend several live theatre shows and also enjoy the music of a philharmonic symphonies throughout my life. To be honest, it wasn't enough times. I managed to get into relationships where the love of music at my level was not the same as my friends or male relationships. This is one standard of living I compromised on. I remember after going to a classical singers workshop in high school at Riverside City College, it was my goal and ambition to go to University of Redlands that I knew had an amazing music program there and to major in classical music. Of course, my parent's input was that there was no future in music and I would need to concentrate on a much less ambitious major that would bring me financial security. I ended up attending a community college for a year and a half and then attended a vocational business college where I honed my skills for business administration. (As shared in a previous blog post.)

I also shared that I had attended several concerts by then popular entertainers. But my true love was stringed instruments accompanied by a piano. I had many opportunities to hear classical music played by many musicians as part of the culture of a church atmosphere. Also, I would enjoy a trained vocalist or choir that was made up of well trained voices. My oldest son was very instrumental in indulging me with gifts of Broadway musicals in Los Angeles and even a couple in New York City.

Since I was a little girl, music has always moved my soul to the point where I can't help but move to the music, thus I really enjoyed dancing for the longest time as I was growing up. I also love watching individuals who dance professionally. It's always been on my life list to attend the Nutcracker Ballet with my granddaughter.

When people enjoy the fine arts of both visual and performing arts there is just a different essence about them. They like to dress up and are a bit on the eccentric side. There not too many places where you can put on sparkles and not stand out as when you are involved in the arts. I love sparkle and glitz. Diamonds are nice, but I like costume jewelry that sparkles just as much and is much easier on the budget.

Because I had such an amazing career for the last 23 years of my employment, I had so many opportunities to also experience fine culinary experiences along with wine tasting and champagne. I think this is one of the things I love the most about Mission Inn in Riverside, there is the art, live music, beautiful room accommodations and an excellent selection of culinary delights.

As an adult I had the opportunity of visiting Hearst Castle. Now talk about lavish. The architecture of the structures, pools, the statues and all the artifacts and enhancements throughout the castle was mesmerizing. I also remember visiting a display of someone's collections of cars and art. It included artifacts and fine furniture from the best of the best. It was so elegant all the many woods, tiles and marbles that were imported. The name of the facility escapes my mind, but I enjoyed learning about this particular family's history and how they had experienced such as life of finer things. The father of the family collected a large display of beautiful cars. They were so expensive and beautiful they sat on a marble floor that had been equipped with air that blew up from the floor in order to float the cars into another area where some of them could be driven.

Even though I've had these experiences and thoroughly indulged in each one, my budget was one for the simpler things in life. I've really enjoyed raising my children and periodically providing them glimpses of the finer things this life has to offer.

I've never really had an interest of traveling to other countries. I've only traveled the United States, and the border west ends of both Canada and Mexico. I think we have so many beautiful areas in our own country that would take a lifetime to experience what is here. Now I travel vicariously through pictures when my oldest son and friends travel out of the country.

As I share this yearning for the arts  and the finer things I have in me, I can't help but reflect on how in heaven I'm sure there will be many artistic indulgences we will be privy to as part of the Worship and God given musical experiences there. I, for one am looking forward to hearing David sing and play his harp for us!! And to actually experience the voices of angels instead of just hearing a person here on earth who we presume has the voice of an angel. Recently while watching Harvest Crusade, to hear 45,000 people sing in unison -- with some harmonies -- The Blessing Song -- it was like I would imagine a small example of heaven's choir. The sound was so beautiful. I was moved by hearing and feelings God's presence in that place.

Revelation 5:13 -- "And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”

AI Generated:

Scriptures suggest we love beautiful things 

because the beauty of the world points to God, who is the ultimate source of beauty and glory. This love for beauty is a human design that should lead us to worship the Creator, though it can be corrupted by sin when we become obsessed with outward appearance rather than inner character. True beauty, in a scriptural sense, is also found in a person's inner self, such as a "gentle and quiet spirit," which is of "great worth in God's sight"