Magic of Music and Bucket Lists

Anyone who knows me has probably heard one of my rants about the importance of music on brain development – especially in children. Consider yourself nagged once again.

But that’s not what I want to share today. I learned a few valuable lessons recently. First, I am not as Georgia-fied as I thought, and second, I found a new Grammie-to-the-rescue trick!

This past summer, I worked Bible School. The kids were encouraged to come early to register which resulted in a long span of time between drop-off and the start of the program. The kids weren’t bad, they were just typical kids running amok!

That’s when the magic happened. Someone put “Cotton-Eyed Joe” on the loud speaker. I had heard the song before but had no idea that everyone in the place knew the dance that went along with it! Everyone from little ones who could barely walk to the older ladies who were more crippled than I am joined in the dance. We had many men working the week, and they all whooped as they danced to the tune. Even the rowdy boys grouped together in lines across the room! It was amazing fun as I watched in awe at the behavior-changing magic of a simple song.

My recent experience with the song came about from me trying to keep my youngest grandson awake until his parents came back from their date. I pulled up the song on my computer and turned the screen for him to see. He watched for a minute and began to mimic the line dancers, clapping his hands and smiling all the while. He was totally wound up by the time Missy and Jeremy got home, and he got to entertain them as he had Granddaddy and me.

Which brings me to my bucket list after my knees are replaced next month. I want to walk fast enough to keep up with my kids when they go sight-seeing. I want to be able to kneel in prayer without pain. Of course, getting up will be an issue I’ll have resolve. Sometimes, I wish I went to a church that had kneeling benches. That seems so practical to me, especially for the blue hairs in the congregation.

Lastly, I want to learn to line dane “The Cotton-Eyed Joe”! Dang it! Everyone was having fun but me! But you just wait!

Of course, maybe I’m expecting a miracle. I never could dance very well. Except for the polka in seventh grade. Nothing really since then. But I’m going to try!

That’s it for today. Real wisdom, huh?

Blessings

KB

The Bible is chocked full of references about music, singing, instruments, and even joyful noise! Check some of them out. Here’s one:

Psalm 98:4  Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music.