30 Days of Giving Thanks-November 18-Christmas Carols

November 18 - Today I am thankful for Christmas carols! I love music of all kinds, but when I hear any version of any Christmas song, I can't help myself but to start humming. I know that some people think that Christmas gets rushed in by the retail industry, and it probably does. I understand why they do it and I really don't mind being reminded that the holidays are coming at the end of October or the beginning of November. That's about the time of year when I realize that yes, Christmas is coming - OH MY GOD! It's almost Christmas again! The music helps calm me down, de-stress and enjoy the JOY of the season instead of the madness.

We have a local radio station here that starts playing nothing but carols from Thanksgiving until after Christmas. I love it! I look forward to it every year. Any radio I get my hands on in the house and in the cars, gets turned to 97.1 - Christmas music, all the time! I sing it, hum it, do little dances to it, it's just so joyful! We had what I consider a little "Christmas Miracle" one year. While playing carols in the car, Jamison, who was only 5 months old at the time, started singing to "Oh Holy Night". This is my favorite Christmas song and he was sitting in his carseat going "Oh ho, oh holy ni" and making other humming sounds. At 5 months? I was having a hard time that year as it was the first Christmas without my mom, and his sweet little singing made me cry! It was just so unexpected, so dear and so unusual at his age. Melted my heart. Myabe it was my mom wishing us a Merry Christmas. I'd like to think so.

Jamison's first Christmas, age 5 months

When I was a kid, I took several years of piano lessons. My parents liked for me to play carols on Christmas Eve. I was always so nervous, playing in front of the family and friends who gathered at our house. My dad had a way of keeping me calm while I played. He'd stand behind me with his hands on my shoulders and sing in his beautiful voice. If I made a mistake, he'd wait until I started playing again and never skipped a beat. My brother, on the other hand, found great delight in making fun of me, getting in my face and trying to turn the music book's pages while I played. Annoying as he was, I loved him and wish he was here to do that now. I'll be posting about him soon.

This is the book I learned to play from as a kid. I still use it.

One year, when my oldest daughter was about 12 or 13, I played "The Little Drummer Boy" while she sang. I video taped it and think I'll watch it this year. It's one of my favorite memories. This year, we're teaching the little ones to sing "Jingle Bells" and I'll see if I can get them to sing it while I play the piano for them and my daughter video tapes it. They love to sing and are so cute when they do so. They also like to "play" the piano, so they may boot me off the bench before I get to play much LOL! I'll probably turn the radio on too, while I cook the turkey and all the other goodies on tomorrow's menu.

I hope you and your families enjoy some festive music to brighten the days ahead and that you all enjoy a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving! Thank you so much for being here! Anybody want a drumstick?

Hugs, Leena