Music

Confession time: My name is Laura and I love to sing. This will come as a huge surprise to many because it is a well known truth that I couldn't carry a tune if I had a whole bunch of buckets. And so you will never see me part of a choir unless absolutely forced to.

But I have always loved music ... all kinds! I am also a huge believer that music is important to well-being and learning. You can lecture on the same concept until you are blue in the face and a child might never "get it". But teach that principle by way of a catchy tune and your point gets across and is remembered.

Show tunes have always been a favorite genre of mine. This started in the fifth grade when my teacher, Mrs. Hawthorn, taught us the entire score to the musical Oklahoma. I can't pass a cornfield (which is often where I live this time of year) and not sing in my head the line from Oh, What A Beautiful Morning: "The corn is as high as an elephant's eye and it looks like it's climbing right up to the sky".

I have a pretty eclectic taste in music. I enjoy everything from Lynard Skynard to Barry Manilow. I like both the old and new Rod Stewart (Hot Legs and his take on the old standards). I love to listen to Frank Sinatra but you would just as easily find me singing along with Aerosmith.

I like big choirs ... nothing beats the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing"

The television phenomenon of "Glee" has made being a choir geek cool. I stumbled on another choir themed show that I also love. It's a quirky little program on BBC (hurrah for On Demend) that I found by accident. It's called "The Choir" and done in a documentary style. Choir director Gareth Malone goes into English schools and creates beautiful choirs from non-existent programs. The first season was about a mixed choir that he led to compete at the Choir Olympics (who knew) in China. Last season had him convincing young men at a boys school, known for its athletic programs, to join the choir program. Their performance of Stand By Me/Beautiful Girls was amazing.


Music ... it can make me smile, sing along, think, and sometimes cry. I found this great quote by the prolific Anonymous : "Music is what feelings sound like."
I hope your day is filled with music and if you happen to be sitting near me in church, please forgive my bad notes.

Nicknames

One of the things you knew about my dad, within 15 minutes of meeting him, was how much he loved children of all ages. He was the favorite of nieces and nephews for as far back as I could remember. He was quick to bend his lanky 6 foot frame to get eye to eye with a toddler. And his grandchildren absolutely idolized him.

He also loved giving nicknames. From the very first grandchild to the last one he met on this earth, he assigned each one a name at birth (and some before).

Matthew was Beano because he was always moving like a little jumping bean. Samuel looked like a little Italian from day one so he became Gumba which is Italian slang for "good friend". Chris was "Jake" and Bobert was "Scrub". Carl was so tiny that he became "Moose". The two girls were always "Polliwog" and "Bright Eyes" to Dad.

When our first grandson came along and was named Andrew I thought his nickname might be Drew. It never really stuck but he earned the nickname "Monkey" from his mama.

So it seemed perfect that when Matt and Heather found out they were expecting again, they started calling the baby "Jelly Bean". The first time I heard it I immediately thought of Dad and it made me smile. And when we found it this latest addition would be a girl it was even more perfect. We have been calling her Jelly Bean for several months now and I think the nickname will probably stick.

We can't wait to meet her when she arrives this Christmas and when she's older I'll share with her about her Great-Poppa Terry. But something tells me they've already met!