A Time of Thanks

I had such a revelation this week at school. And it wasn't a good revelation. It was a sad one.

The first thing I realized was that most of my students don't know those traditional songs we grew up learning and knowing. Thanksgiving-wise, they've never heard of "We Gather Together," or "Come, Ye Thankful People, Come," or even "Over the River and Through the Wood!" What in the world?!? How can they not know these songs?!?

And then I realize...oh...I'm the music teacher. Hmmm...I guess it's MY job to teach them these songs. Did I learn them at school? Maybe. Church? Probably. Both? Most definitely.

So this week, we learned "Over the River and Through the Wood." No worries about teaching religion or anything like that. One second grader informed me, in a very knowledgable tone that spoke of great stupidity on his teacher's part, "That can't be a Thanksgiving song. There's a lot of snow and it doesn't snow on Thanksgiving." DUH! Oh, you poor Texas boy.

I asked the children to think of at least one thing they are thankful for. I didn't want to know what it was--just think of it in their heads. Then I asked them to raise their hands if they'd thought of at least one thing. In every. single. class. there was at least one child who didn't raise his/her hand. I would ask them, "You can't think of even one thing to be thankful for?" A (usually) sad shake of the head.

So I tried to give them ideas. The first time this happened, I asked, "Did you have breakfast this morning?" The answer, "No." OOPS! I switched to, "Did you have lunch today?" because they *all* eat lunch one way or another. Or, "Do you have clothes to wear? Can you be thankful for those things?" Trying to show them that they don't have to have huge houses or fancy cars or whatever in order to have things to be thankful for. I tried to stay away from family stuff because you just never know what's going on in their homes. And frankly, I don't want to know. I'd rather live in my happy little world where children are loved and disciplined appropriately.

I don't know why I was so surprised that so many children didn't know how to be thankful for the small things. Our society puts such a premium on the big things. Houses, cars, money, money, money, video games (the best and newest of course). I like all of those things. But what am I truly thankful for?

*A Heavenly Father who watches over me. Who loves me no matter how many mistakes I make. Who sent his Son to atone for me so that I could return to live with Him.

*A husband who works hard to provide for us--even if it means being away from us. No matter how many times things don't work out, he keeps pushing forward and trying.

*Three boys who are the light of my life. They are such complete individuals that it's hard to lump them all together. Chris is a rock--steady and strong. He reminds me a lot of my dad. James is everyone's friend. He wears his heart on his sleeve and wants anyone and everyone to be happy. John is a puzzle. He bounces from happy to sad to mad at the drop of a hat, but he's creative and funny and artistic.

*I'm even thankful for our dog who tracks in mud all the day long, hates having his feet cleaned and now insists on sleeping on my bed. But he's sweet and loving and he barks when people walk by--which is not a bad thing actually.

*I'm thankful for my job. It allows me to be home when the boys are home. I love working with the children--even when they frustrate me or anger me or sadden me. It's fun to watch them catch on to a concept they've been struggling with or just to enjoy the music.

*I'm thankful for parents who were and are great examples to me. I'm thankful that my dad is 91 years young and still healthy both mentally and physically.

*I'm especially thankful for a week off of school. The break is so needed by everyone--students and teachers alike--and it gives us a week to spend with Richard.

There's something uplifting about writing out all of the blessings in my life. It helps me to focus on those blessings instead of all that's wrong or annoying or whatever. This week I'm going to try to do that. Focus on the blessings--even the smallest ones. Sometimes the smallest ones are the greatest.