Author Archives: vivace1017

About vivace1017

I grew up in the hills of East Tennessee, in a well-educated, articulate, highly creative community. Venturing forth from my hometown at age 17, I attended a small college near Knoxville, and began my career as a music teacher in Taichung, Taiwan. I wound my way from there through grad school in Louisville, KY to a brief sojourn in Georgia, and landed finally, with a husband and two sons in south central Virginia. My career journey has meandered from private music studio to public school classroom, from church organ bench to grant writing and photography. Now, roles are changing again, settling into places that have always been a part of me, yet are only now realizing my best attention. This site is my internal voice as I work through who I have been, who I want to be, and the legacy I want to leave in my wake.

ELEPHANT

Posted on August 11, 2021 by vivace1017

Many folks have asked us, since we retired, how in the world we stayed in the local church ministry so long (45+ years).  It all goes back to a decision we made after our second“crash and burn” experience in just … Continue reading →

Posted in Parkinson's Disease | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

INVISIBLE

Posted on July 28, 2021 by vivace1017

I have been ruminating on an issue that has affected me deeply in recent years. In fact, I have been working on this particular blog entry for more than two months! The advent of the Pandemic exacerbated the problem of … Continue reading →

Posted in Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), Disabilities, Parkinson's Disease, Retirement | 1 Comment

Miracle

Posted on January 15, 2021 by vivace1017

Some months ago, I wrote a piece about what I can do.  It was written from growing despair as I realized increasing limitations as a Parkinson’s patient…the incessant, inexorable downward spiral as this beast continues to drag me into its clutches.  By focusing on … Continue reading →

Posted in Parkinson's Disease | Tagged , | 9 Comments

20 20

Posted on December 26, 2020 by vivace1017

Can anything positive be said about this past year?  We as a society have lost so many, so much; we are left in many ways, empty and alone.  There are some relevant things that we don’t often think about. Perhaps the most … Continue reading →

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Giving Thanks in 2020

Posted on November 26, 2020 by vivace1017

It’s Thanksgiving. Normally, we are on our way to a relatives home where a major feast is underway. There is laughter, share memories, family stories, coffee, hugs and snuggles…..much like your celebrations, I’m sure. This day in 2020, much like … Continue reading →

Posted in Parkinson's Disease | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

AFTER GLOW

Posted on September 14, 2020 by vivace1017

I can’t believe it’s been nearly 9 months since I wrote a post for this blog! It feels like we’ve been in suspended animation. When I was a child, I was haunted by a movie in which sensory deprivation was … Continue reading →

Posted in Parkinson's Disease | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Finger Prints

Posted on January 13, 2020 by vivace1017
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Making Family

Posted on August 30, 2019 by vivace1017

I have lived a lifetime in just the last week. I’ve stood by my elderly mother‘s deathbed, keeping vigil as she drew her last breath. My siblings and I have mourned Mom’s passing, celebrated her life, and sorted through her … Continue reading →

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Kelsey

Posted on April 13, 2019 by vivace1017

What a strange week this has been at the Spencer home. We knew for several months that this was coming, and put it off as long as we humanely could. Last Tuesday evening, we said goodbye to our dearly beloved … Continue reading →

Posted in Parkinson's Disease | 4 Comments

The Organist

Posted on January 18, 2019 by vivace1017

Dr. Mueller was my organ performance professor for 4 years in the early 90’s. He taught me to make Bach’s music dance, to soar with the elegant beauty of Mendelssohn’s melodies, to engineer the compositions of Cesar Franc so that … Continue reading →

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