Last night our Homeschoolers Chorus went caroling at a local nursing home. I think it went really well. The kids were just thrilled to be there. The residents seemed to be cheered by our rag-tag band of joyous little elves, sporting crazy combinations of Santa hats and bells. Our rather spirited rendition of “Gloustershire Wassail” rang through the halls quite gloriously…time and time again…it’s a favorite with the kids! We did manage to sneak in a few other standards (“Angels We Have Heard on High”, “Twelve Days of Christmas”, “Deck the Halls” and the like) as well as songs like “Glory to the Mountain” and several rounds of “In the Bleak Midwinter”, much favored among the adults! They practically had to kick us out! No one wanted to stop sining! And we sang to the one sweet elderly lady we ran into on our way out, when she expressed sorrow over missing our performance. And we sang in the parking lot. And on the way home. And… Yeah, I’d say it was a success!

It was a bit bitter-sweet for me, as I knew it would be. My last visit to a nursing home was to see my Gram, who died a few short days before Elijah’s first Christmas. I think of her a lot at this time of year. Her essence seems to be embedded in so many of my holiday memories. The smell of her Raisin Bread and the taste and texture of her famous Scottish Short Bread. Her love of poinsettias, her very favorite flower. Even the ceramic Christmas tree on display at the nursing home, so exactly like the one that she used to put out every year. How she would have loved a visit from all of those children! I found myself looking at her picture before we left and slipping on her necklace…and trying to be aware of carrying her with me in my heart as we sang.
After caroling we took the long way home, with a ride through the “Winter Wonderland” light display.

A pecking woodpecker all done up in lights, gotta love that…at least I know that my bird crazy kids certainly did!