
So when I was down south in the Big City this weekend, my dear pal handed me a stash of hats her mom knit up for the "Warmth for Washington". We'll deliver this next batch late this week or early next to one of our local shelters. We've had an extraordinary amount of snow and rain so I feel grateful to be able to deliver hand-knit warmth to people in need. Thank you so much to S. down in Seattle for her time and energy and heart in making these; and once again to others who contributed to our project. We're gonna keep collecting hand-knits all year long figuring and just continue to cycle them on to those in need in our area. We'll collect right on through summer and next Fall in order to be even more prepared for next winter.
And in the spirit of warmth, my girl and her 5 pals have been singing together for the last many months weekly. They think of themselves as a band and change their name as they feel it. They used to call themselves "Salad-Face" but of late changed the name to the "Jingle Bell Rockers" or something close. A friend of ours, "C" has been working with the girls each week teaching them a whole variety of songs. Each of these girls loves to sing and dance. So in celebrating the New Year, the end of our last few months of lessons, we had a potluck Sunday night hosted by my dear friend of 3Wallins fame. Let me tell you, she put Martha to shame with how beautifully she entertained our crew. The elements of this night were just so rockin great. Wonderful friends, delectable food and drink, and magnificent song.
"C" is an amazing teacher of children, there is just no doubt about it. Each and every time I watch one of these concerts big or small, I've got tears in my eyes at some point in the night. Not just because of the sweetness of the music coming from these kids but because she inspires so magnificently the love of music in each one of them. She teaches piano, guitar and singing and while most of these end of the season shows feature all of her students, performing their songs, many of which they've written themselves or improvise in the moment. This, though was a special show of just our girls for just our families.
What struck me most as it always does when I hear my girl and her pals sing..is the freedom they feel. All singing out strong, feeling the music and moving their bodies as they felt it. Ahh this is how those tears come, that is for sure. This is pure joy in the moment and each one of us as parents felt it and were beaming. The girls sang from "My Fair Lady" and "Mary Poppins", "Wizard of Oz" and oh a 60s classic(I think?) "Grazing in the Grass". Now there may not be much cuter than 5, 5 year olds singing out with flare "Baby, can ya dig it!". The night was perfect really except for us missing one of the band and her family due to the flooding south of us. Fortunately, they are just fine but the road to where they live was under water this weekend.
There is a freedom within that music inspires. Freedom to let our souls dance. When the music sinks right down into my bones, I feel it. Who cares if I can't carry a tune so well, I'm singing out when I've moved too. And dancing with every muscle in my body. Music my path for being one with myself..in the groove so to speak..Now that is a hard one to express but its that feeling of just being so in tune, and deep down connected with myself that all feels pure. Joyful. And this joy is what shined so brightly in these wonderful girls. I love seeing in my girl, in each of these girls, the freedom they feel in themselves and the magic that ignites. For all of this beautiful warmth, I am so very grateful.
