No matter what is going on in my life, I am always healed and nurtured with music~ over the last week or so since I last wrote, a Music Together^® friend of mine (3 yrs old) was diagnosed with Leukemia.  The first thing I thought of was "I need to send some new music!"  When I'm sad, I sing... When I'm happy, I sing... When I'm working, I sing... The worst thing in the world for me is to lose my voice to the occasional case of laryngitis!  I would love to hear how music heals and nurtures you ~ are there particular songs?  Do you listen or sing along? Do you dance too?

The other morning I headed off for my Saturday class and was looking forward to seeing "my" families, but was also wishing I didn't have to rush off on a beautiful Saturday am.  Shortly after arriving, I was so glad I did!  The love and sharing of music and friendship is so amazing ~ many of the children in this class haven't seen me or their other friends since last Spring, but you wouldn't know it!  They jumped right into class, singing and dancing and sharing hugs with all at the end.  Music gives us a way to connect as a community and when we remember that it is about love and fun and not so much about "learning," the actual "learning" that takes place is amazing!

Tell me your stories, share your musical moments, feel the love!

I woke up this morning to hear that Mary of Peter Paul and Mary had passed away... What a rough week; Patrick Swayze and now Mary.  I don't ever remember a time where I didn't know Peter Paul and Mary.  Their songs are embedded in our musical history ~ "Puff the Magic Dragon", "Inch by Inch", "If I had a Hammer"; the list goes on and on.  they are songs we have been singing for 40 odd years and will continue to sing long into the future (or should!).  Just thinking of this trio triggers a soundtrack in my mind that has always been there, sparking memory after memory.

I can see myself lying on my twin bed as a little girl listening to "Peter Paul and Mommy" on my portable record player.  I can see the picture of the three children on the cover of the album and the beautiful girl with the long blonde hair ~ why were they calling her Mommy? was it a mistake?  hmmmm...

Next I'm a nanny in Ridgefield, CT and word in the park is that Mary has been seen sitting on one of the park benches along the main street through town.  What if I see her?  Should I say Hello?  Ask for an autograph?   What if I annoy her?   I never do see her, but wish I had so I could tell her how her songs and love of music, children and justice have inspired me in a gentle persistent way.

Fast forward a few years and my husband Jeff and I are excitedly buying a CD of "Peter Paul and Mommy" for our first born.  We both remember it fondly and agree that every child should have it in their collection.  At the same time we see "Peter Paul and Mommy II" and have to buy it as well.  "Hush Little Baby don't say a word..." singing to my sweet little boy ~ sharing these songs with my child is a treasured memory long forgotten, remembered today.

I've spent the week starting up a long schedule of family classes and preschools.  100 preschoolers in 2 days... I'm tired and cranky ~ this work is exhausting.

If the work I do means that children of generations to come will continue to sing the songs of Peter Paul and Mary along with all the other artists who have given songs to the world, then it is worth all the exhaustion in the world.

Peace to you Mary ~ your work goes on...

So one of the things I love most about the work I do is that I get to sing and dance anytime i want!  As a teenager I had big dreams of being a professional dancer and wanted to BE Jennifer Grey  in "Dirty Dancing."  Seeing that Patrick Swayze had passed away made for a sad evening last night.  I heard a brief interview with him where he was talking about dance and the role of dance in his life~  i don't know if I remember exactly how he put it, but what I took from it was that dancing comes from within you.  Being a dancer isn't something you learn, it's something you are... You can take class after class after class, but there is something inside that needs to exist and the technique gives you a way to expand your expression of that primal need to move.

I love getting to see all the little bodies in class wiggling and jumping!  The pathways we lay down in early childhood help to support all the music and movement "learning" that is to come.  Nothing annoys me more that grown ups telling small children to sit still!  Seeing a child (or adult for that matter) moving their head or feet or body during a concert brings me such joy~  music makes me want to MOVE!

So here I go with my first Blog post!  For years I've been thinking about how to share some of my thoughts on music, children, dancing, and how all of that together can save the world.  OK so that's a little lofty, but there are times when I really think that's what it's all about!  My tag line for the last few years has been "It's all about the love..." It originally started as something I'd say when I was having a hard time with someone and it would remind me how important it is to just love and accept those around me.  No matter how frustrated I get, if I can remember that what it all comes back to is love, I can get through almost anything.  What does this have to do with music and families?  Everything!  Hopefully over the next little while, I'll remember I have a blog and will try to share some of my thoughts and experiences with you (whoever you are!) and hope that you'll write back and share some with me. 

Today, I've been thinking (as many people are) about 9/11.  Coincidentally, I began teaching my first Music Together classes that week and for a brief moment thought "how can I sing and dance when the world is crashing down?"  I quickly realized that the real question was "How can I not?"  Singing and dancing is how we as humans have come together throughout time ~ I can't imagine a world without music ~ it's too horrible to  contemplate!  It is hard to hate or even remain angry with someone when you are creating harmony with them or dancing with them.  We really do have the power to change the world, even if it is one family at a time.  Today, sing a song with a friend, do a dance with a child; you'll be glad you did!