I try not to put added pressure on my kids- I think there is way too much pressure on them – and all of our kids-already.

This, of course, except when it is  something I want that they want too. Then I burst at the seams with excitement and hope and fingers crossed.

As you know- one of my most favourite things in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD is to watch/hear them sing. After my youngest auditioned for the Carol Service at her school, I greeted her everyday, sometimes several times a day, with

“Anything new today, sweets?”

“Anything new today, sweets?”

“Anything new today, sweets?”

“Anything new today, sweets?”

This for 6 or 7 straight days with a voice several octaves above my norm but never (?) letting on how BADLY I hoped for this.

And then finally after so much waiting, frequent asking, so much hoping, she says

” Oh mom, I forgot to tell you, I got a solo in the Carol Service. Could you pass the salt ?”

Hey, thanks for letting me know.

This is my very favourite thing all year long but at  Christmas- well, all I can say is I am packing kleenex.

It is today.

Can’t wait can’t wait can’t wait.

Whoever is in charge of handing out these gifts – thank you.

Life is not always easy. Sometimes it is disappointing and flat. Sometimes it is paralyzing and difficult. Singing-especially at Christmas- is like a gift from the heavens and something that can lift us out of the most distressing news. We can all agree that this was the most distressing news of the last week