Singing with Grateful Hearts

It was a couple of days before Thanksgiving, and the newly formed community children’s choir rehearsal drew to an end.  Their Christmas concert was just a couple of weeks hence.  The group of 14 or so elementary-aged children sang, talked, wiggled, and fidgeted with varying degrees of attention as they worked on the collection of familiar carols and new tunes. The veteran choir director knew just how to keep a group of young children focused on the end of a long day.  Away in a Manger ended the practice, and the clear pure voices of the group rang out in the empty auditorium.   Just before reminding the children of their next rehearsal, the director asked the children about their Thanksgiving plans. 

What is your favorite Thanksgiving food?

 Pumpkin pie, sweet potato casserole, turkey, greens… the answers continued, and the list of favorite foods evoked savory anticipation of the meals to come.

Is Thanksgiving just about food and eating a big meal?   

No rang out louder than that evening’s  rendition of Jingle Bells. Thanksgiving was a day to be thankful.

What are you thankful for this year?

Mommy and Daddy, my teacher, food, my sister, my family… and for the choir director.  Each child shared something for which they were thankful.  The adult assistants (including me) joined in with our own thankful hearts. 

The children stacked their music, gathered their jackets,  and headed downstairs chattering all the while.  Their parents soon arrived. The lights in the rehearsal hall were dimmed. 

I headed home to continue my own preparations for the upcoming celebration. I thought about that small group of children: about the gift of music that touches the hearts of even the youngest of humans, about the dedication of the director; about  the sincerity of their offerings of thanks.

Thankful hearts know no boundaries of age, ability or circumstance.  It may be expected and even routine to name those things for which we are grateful.  Expected… but never trite.  Expected… but never mundane. Thankfulness never goes out of style.

A grateful spirit is ever young.  I add my own list and litany of thanks and invite you to do the same.

What are you thankful for this year?

Grateful, grateful

Truly grateful I am

Grateful, grateful

Truly blessed

And duly grateful¹

~ John Bucchino

1 This is an excerpt from the beautiful song Grateful A Song of Giving Thanks by composer John Bucchino. and performed by Art Garfunkel. It’s available to listen to on youtube or other internet sites.