I was reminded on Wednesday just how much music moves me. Wednesday's my day to tutor at Junction Christian Academy in Hobbs. I spend three hours with kiddos from K-4th grade and I only enjoy it so much because we're on the same level. So nice to finally find someone who shares my passion for "We Sing Silly Songs" and writing the alphabet...in print and cursive.
This week, I wrapped up the day with Mrs. June's 3rd grade class. After picking up rocks from the playground and using them to practice spelling words, we headed inside to sing a few songs. Mrs. June told me I could leave, but I told her I would be happy to hang out with the kids until they left for the day. The kids all looked up at the projector screen, waiting for Mrs. June to pick the song she wanted. A grainy YouTube video popped up, and I noticed the title: "Thank You Soldiers-Veteran's Day/Memorial Day Song." I thought, "Well, that's neat," as I smirked a little and waited for the music to play.
I would love to stop there and be able to say, "They sang, it was cute, we went home. Yay music," but as the song played and the kids started singing, the tears skipped the lump in my throat and went straight to my eyes.
"When I lay my head down at night, and go to sleep in peace, I can stay there knowing all is well knowing you're standing on your feet."
That's how the song starts and it's all downhill from there. Yes, it's corny. Yes, it's simple. Yes, some of the kids were picking their noses with the eraser end of a pencil. However, what was so cool was neither Mrs. June nor those kids know I am a Marine. I stood at the back of the room, my arms crossed, realizing those kids were saying, "Thank you," to all of my brothers and sisters. I found myself singing with them, thanking the ones who went before me and the ones who are with me now.
A lot of vets will tell you the only thing they want is some resemblance of gratitude. They don't necessarily need to be called out and thanked in public or recognized for a valiant achievement. Just show a little bit of grace and try to understand just how much so many of those men and women have given. My hope, and what moved me so much, was that song and how it might affect those kids. That song and those lyrics help them understand this country and the individuals who serve it are remarkable. Mrs. June probably won't ever read this, but I hope she knows how much I appreciate her for giving vets that honor, even it seems like a minimal gesture.
Then, last night when I went to pick up Dad, I found him at Uncle Tommy's house, strumming away at some classic favorites and some that are...only known in the Pearson circle. Uncle Tommy immediately made me a drink and I sat back, soaking up the words and the rhythms that have comforted me, made me laugh, and brought tears to my eyes for twenty-two years. We didn't care what time it was or how loud we were. We knew we were going to lose sleep, but I curled up in Uncle Tommy's denim jacket and refused to move. In that moment, we knew nothing could beat what the four of us had, because the songs held us together and we would have been foolish to let go too soon.
