Just the other night, we had the great pleasure of watching our young friend Aubri play Maria von Trapp in a youthful production of The Sound of Music. From first note to last it was delightful! I daresay, had Julie Andrews been sitting beside me, she would have been equally delighted.

But it was something that occurred backstage that I’d like to share. My spies inform me that one of Aubri’s friends could not quite hit that wicked high note in her solo of “Climb Ev’ry Mountain.” (Few singers can, I imagine.) So Aubri, positioned backstage with her microphone, sang it for her.

The note was so perfectly lip-synced that I didn’t notice until a friend discretely shared the story later.

I wonder. Of all the notes that were sung that night, maybe that was the most beautiful. It was beautiful because it showed that the soloist was able to ask for and receive help, and that Aubri was willing to quietly give it. The idea of humbly cooperating for the good of the troupe is an idea that our self-centered culture could really use.

A gifted singer – my friend, Cindy Sweeney – used to help me in that same way. Playing guitar with a gospel group called The Narrow Road Band, I was persuaded on occasion to sing “Give Me Jesus.” To my chagrin, the song had a high C that I couldn’t possibly reach. Dear Cindy, with her beautiful soprano, would quietly step up beside me as I was singing and carry me through the moment.

So you see, we get by with a little help from my friends!