The Nutcracker

It didn't take long in my life to discover my love for music. Now I wonder, was it introduced to me, or it is inbred. I knew that Tchaikovsky was my favorite, and I don't recall my parents liking classical music. It was probably something I picked-up watching TV. I remember the theme from Swan Lake was so beautiful to me. Years later I would play it on my keyboard.

Every opportunity I have, I share music with Nathan. Yesterday was no exception. I thought that Christmas music would be appropriate, so out came the box full of various Cd's and a variety of different music selections. Guess which one was on top? The Nutcracker, so it begins....It will probably take me until Christmas to go through all of them. I was so captured. Especially, my favorite number by the London Symphony Orchestra, Act Two #13, Pas DE DEUX. Tchaikovsky, expresses the drama to the core of your being. I played it over and over. It's probably going to take all of that time to get through the collections that mean so much to me.

Christmas time, I never get enough of it. It's majesty and joy surpass the commercialism. So be merry and bright. Reflect on what no one can take from us. The birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. See the star? It beckons to you to come to the stable, to be renewed. Come all, the lowly, the forlorn, the journey begins now. There is something for everybody. Let your hearts be merry and bright.

Children learn what they live. Sometimes they surprise you. Yesterday, Nathan struggled to climb up and sit on the bar stool next to his grampy. I watched him as he endeavored to have a conversation with him. John was playing a game on the computer when Nathan asked him if he was sick? With the cough that John had, who could miss that. But interestingly, Nathan at such a young age was showing his concern. Then Nate, said "you need steam." Then he told him he was going to take care of him. How does he know he needs steam? Nathan is the best cure for what ails John, how did he know that? This little boy is a very special child. Christmas comes when you least expect it.