Sing!

The older get...the smarter I get.  Actually, my perspective about many things has always been not necessarily in the 'norm'.  I am grateful that I can think for myself without trying to follow the mainstream patterns.  What am I talking about?
I sing. It is probably what most of my students remember and their parents, too. The song, "High Hopes" by Frank Sinatra was one that I easily referenced when kids thought they couldn't accomplish something.  I would play it for them from my CD of favorite tunes.  They would learn it and sometimes all I had to answer them with was...
"Just what makes that little old ant... think he can move that rubber tree plant?  Everyone knows an ant can't...move a rubber tree plant!!  But he has 'High Hopes!!"
Imagine my surprise when at my last assembly before retirement, with all of the kids from all three grades along with a bunch of their parents in attendance...heard the principal ask me to lead everyone in song one last time with "High Hopes".  I thought, 'Really?'
I agreed to lead it as long as my kids joined me in singing it along with anyone in the audience who knew it, too.
It was refreshing to hear how many were singing along.  There was safety in numbers, and the event was priceless.  It was a good time.
So, what exactly is my point?
Ask people to sing and they will tell you they can't sing.  To which I reply that everyone can sing...if the focus is not on whether they sound like a professional singer.  Singing is therapy and fun.
Have you ever sung along with Kate Smith belting out, "God Bless America" ?
Ask someone to draw or paint, and often they respond that it is not one of their strengths.  So??  
Why are there many people so hesitant to attempt to join in something because it won't be perfect...or good?  Media and/or culture has gotten the message out that we must be the same, wear the approved styles,  be the correct size,  etc., etc, etc
What do you think?  And ... do you sing?

Acapella...Sing! Sing a song! Sing it loud! Sing it strong!!

As I watch the television finale of the 'The Sing Off', I am very impressed with the diversity of groups singing beautiful harmony unaccompanied by any musical instruments. And it brings back a college memory which was quite a unique experience. There was a yearly competition among all of the sororities and fraternities called 'Greek Sing'. Given a certain amount of time which I think was 10 minutes, every group created their best masterpiece which was scored by a point system for music, choreography, costumes, spirit, etc. You were granted more points when the presentation was sung unaccompanied by musical instruments..
So, we arranged a glorious patriotic medley of all of the Armed Forces' songs in three part harmony. We made our own red, white, and blue outfits, and practiced many, many hours on weekends in preparation for the big event. Led by our president Phyllis facing us, we were allowed three notes from a piano for the different groups 'to get their particular pitch'. As we faced the packed audience of fellow contestants, we were confident and smiling...ready to impress everyone. We had it solid! The hours of work put into this endeavor were about to take the winning trophy. Phyllis gave the nod to Angie who had taken piano lessons for years, who then walked to the piano and played three notes. plink, plink, plunk. And immediately, we who were facing the audience kept on smiling at Phyllis's frozen's face...of shock looking back at us. We all knew that they were NOT the correct notes. Oh my God!! It was unbelievable! Altos, sopranos,...everyone tried to summon their own note from memory. Phyllis's arms were raised, she gave us the 1-2-3-4...And we began.

"Off we go into the wild blue yonder...flying high ...

Well, it was a wild sound surely to secure last place for us. And then after about 20 seconds [of ' would the floor please just open up and swallow us up]...Phyllis gave us a signal to stop because she had made the executive decision to 'start over'. We would take penalty points for a 'false start', but...holy mackerel....it was the only way to proceed.

For the second time, the nod was given to Angie to go play the three notes designed to put everyone in tune. 'Come on Angie...you have the power...We know you can do it.

plink, plink, plink.

Our fearless leader's arms went up a second time, a great big smile lit up her face, and...1-2-3-4-

"Off we go into the wild blue yonder...It was as it should be... blended perfection! Wahoo!!!

Our second medley was a satire about college life where we changed the lyrics of pop songs to make jokes and highlight the fun and foibles of college life. The hundreds of the Greek organizations' members were now looking, listening, and howling at our creative spoof. We received a standing ovation- what an amazing sight and sound....certainly a much better feeling than the adrenalin rush of everyone singing in God knows what key...scale...whatever!!

We did not win the first place honor in the competition, but.....

We did win "The Spirit Trophy!!!"

And that was the 'pi-ece de resistance'.

I think that after a couple of days, we were mostly remembered for our dazzling performance, and our 'spirit'. As for the group of scared stiff performers about to break out a new sound never heard before....well,

We will recall the low point[of embarrassment] followed by the the high point[of the standing ovation from our competing peers'].

We will never forget it!!!

There's a lot to be said for 'spirit'!

Do you hear what I see??

I was watching Sunday Morning, my favorite Sunday show, and it brought back a memory, which I will share[of course!!]. It will probably surprise you...or not...

Celine Dion was singing,

"For all those times you stood by me..."

Many years ago, a friend of mine agreed to attend her relative's eight year old daughter's participation in a beauty pageant. It was a Sunday, I had nothing going on, and so I accompanied her to help speed the one hour ride each way. I could not imagine that there would be anything good about the event. I absolutely detest the concept of beauty pageants, especially for kids. I was merely an observer. It had many facets that I would have trouble expressing in words, but suffice it to say that 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder' and for me...it rests in the heart and soul of a person. blah, blah blah! Anyway...

During the intermission, entertainment was provided by one of the judges. She was a twenty-something young woman[ the youngest of the judges], a singer-dancer, and a former pageant participant. And winner, I would assume.

She stood in the center of the stage, cued the music, and Celine Dion's voice soared throughout the room. And then it became totally mesmerizing to me, because...she depicted the song in sign language. All of the emotion, the rise and fall of the vocal rendition, and the heartfelt story was told with her arms, hands, and fingers.

"You were my eyes when I couldn't see...you were my voice when I couldn't speak"...etc.

I was amazed. I loved it. It was such an unexpected treat.

Later on, as I complimented her on her 'voiceless' expression of song, I explained that as an elementary school teacher, I wished that the kids could see this creativity within song. After clearing it with the principal, a short assembly was organized for the kids. The focus word of the month was 'communication', and the kids were surprised at how she sang a song with 'sign language', a very real form of communication. She also brought a trunk with costumes, scarves, masks, etc. and spoke about drama and acting. It was fun.

Wrapping it up on a light note, I also remember that the men in the building were more impressed with the length of her skirt. Well, it was what it was. And there you have it:

Beauty remains in the eye of the beholder!!!

Sing along with me...

A peek into the 'normal' routine of the 'not so normal' caregiver...that would be me!

And Flo...the not so normal 97 year old!

We watched the very last episode of 'The Guiding Light' which Flo has watched for years. She used to set her VCR to tape the show daily in case she fell asleep in her recliner while it was on, and especially for the times that she and the 'biddies' would go to Atlantic City every once in a while. I remind her that she learned that skill a lil bit later in life [her mid 70's] when she tries to tell me, "I'm too old! You can't teach an old dog new tricks!!"

And I say, "In your case, oh yes we can! Remember learning how to program the VCR?"

But I digress...

After Judge Judy finishes her two sessions of setting people straight with her trademark remarks of...

"I'm speaking...hey! Can you see my lips moving? I'm speaking!!!"

So then , at 6 PM, there are 3 planned events left in each evening's agenda: 1:a bathroom visit, 2: something to eat, and 3: getting ready and into bed.

As I rolled her wheelchair over to her recliner chair to take her into the bathroom, she looked at the dog staring at her from the picture window and said, "You have such a pretty face!"

And I immediately launched into:

"Chantilly Lace had a pretty face,

And a pony tail hanging down,

With a wiggle in her walk and a giggle in her talk...

Makes the world go round, round, round'

There ain't nothing in the world like a big eyed girl

Who makes me act so funny

Makes me spend my money,

Makes me feel real loose like a long necked goose...

Like a girl...Oh baby, that's what I like!"

Mom is laughing while saying ,"I'd say that you are crazy, but I know we are related!!"

Then, Flo wants to call that dog with the pretty face to come and ride with her to the bathroom, but she forgets her name.

So, I began singing, "A..ma..zing..."

She says, "Grace!"

I continue the verse as the 'stand up and transfer' occurs, and it is a great distraction from the fact that she needs help getting to the bathroom.

Dinner, rice pudding with whipped cream, "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?", and off to bed. Into our beds, our safe havens, "Thank ya Jesus", and no more responsibilities for today.

And then she says, "Mare, does the person who owns this house know that we are using it?"

Oh-boy!

There's that 10% of the time that she is confused...

As I have said before, she has all of her buttons, but sometimes she forgets where she keeps them.

Ommm-m-mmm-!