Love songs

Steve is a member of our church's adult choir but hasn't been able to participate in a few months. He misses the group, and they obviously miss him.

About 20 choir members caravanned north tonight to gather in our family room and minister to Steve and us. For about 45 minutes, they sang gorgeous hymns and anthems, filling our home with beautiful music, warm wishes and love.

Jim and Betty, both members of their own church choir, were here and joined the circle of beautiful voices. Steve sat in the big green leather chair (which belonged to his Grandpa Damm), next to the piano, at which Sharon H. played.

Katie was often in the middle, dancing, clapping and/or singing her own tune. Cooper came in and out. He decided that he wanted to direct the singers (though Debbie was certainly doing a great job on her own), so he ran to his room to fashion a baton out of Legos. He was dissatisfied with the result, so he left and returned again with a long wooden block. Still not convinced that he had the choir's full attention, he ran to the kitchen and selected a wooden spoon. He also lobbied Debbie with a request for "Little Drummer Boy."

The night's songs included "It's Me O Lord Standing in the Need of Prayer," "The Church's One Foundation," "On Eagle's Wings" and Steve's favorite, "Creation Will Be at Peace." Oh, you should have heard the voices. It was breath-taking. All that love alone may not cure Steve's cancer, but it carries tremendous healing powers and the hope for miracles.

We closed with a beautiful prayer.

Then Cooper reminded Debbie of his favorite song, and the choir jumped in a cappella to sing "Little Drummer Boy." (Grandma Alice Cooper, Steve's late maternal grandmother, years ago gave Cooper a music box that plays the song. The box was the inspiration of his request.)

Amazing baker Zita sent with Andy a huge platter of cookies and brownies, and we snacked on the treats before saying goodnight to our sweet visitors.

The Lord bless and keep you

The Lord make His face to shine on you,

And be gracious, gracious;

The Lord bless and keep you

The Lord lift His countenance on you,

And give peace, give you peace;

Shalom, shalom.