And so this is Christmas…

 This year I had the pleasure of attending my nieces’ 6^th grade choir concert.  The children, dressed in the own versions of  black and white, marched, as practiced, in single file to assemble on a three tiered bench on stage.  Although the group seemed to be mostly young girls, there were a few young boys and one special needs child, Henry.  Henry stood with the biggest smile at the end of the second row.

 When the children’s sweet voices filled the auditorium all eyes were on Henry.  He drew his deepest breath, puffed up his chest and bellowed out his lyrics, out of time and out of tune.  But his performance was overflowing with joy and enthusiasm, and I wondered yet again, when I would remember to stock my purse with Kleenex.

 As the show progressed Henry was distracted now and then.  He pulled out his tucked shirt, loosened his tie, turned round to observe his choir mates in the row behind him.  Eventually he would settle back into the song and again, in full voice, sing his heart out.

 In the middle of the same row stood Joe, a boy born of snips and snails and puppy dogs tails, just like the old rhyme.  Joe stood angled with his back to Henry, shoulders lifted, suppressing his giggles, trying to contain his laughter as Henry did what Joe knew he could never get away with.  And all the while the girls, true to their nature, reined in both boys, by carefully singing their parts, seamlessly, with all the peace, love and understanding we have come to expect from the greatest fans of this season.

 It was an early Christmas present for me!  Merry Christmas everyone!