Posted in Special Days
What fun it was to be able to spend the night at my dd Chelle's house this weekend, and watch her group of 60 children perform "A Traditional Christmas Pageant." She was the musical director for the children's Christmas program at her church. I loved watching the program, and found it hard to believe that I was sitting there watching her direct, and not watching her as a participant. Where have the years gone? And how did they go so quickly?
Just yesterday Chelle and my other daughter Jen were the children in the pageants at our church. Both girls were very musical, and always had the lead parts in any cantatas we had for the holidays. Then brother Josh came along, and loved to act. He had a great singing voice, too, so that made all three of them involved. When my oldest, Jen, was 13, along came my youngest blessing, BJ. Our church's tradition was that the youngest baby in the church would be Baby Jesus in that year's cantata, and BJ got to be Baby Jesus, while big sister Chelle was Mary, singing a beautiful lullaby to him. What wonderful memories I have of all those incredible children's pageants!
My grandmother was a music teacher, as was my mother. Chelle also attended music conservatory, so I was the only one to break the mold, and not be a music teacher, although I took lessons all through college. Chelle, as did Mom and Grandma, sings and plays the piano beautifully, and they could direct programs that were beyond belief. My mother's were like a professional children's theatrical and musical company. The sets and costuming she did were amazing, and the quality of acting and singing she was able to get from elementary school students in her school, and in later years in her church's Sunday School Choir, were something you simply wouldn't believe if you hadn't seen them. I also directed many cantatas at our church through the years, and although not quite as grand as my mother's, if I do say so myself they were pretty doggone good!
The year before my mom died, she put on her last Christmas cantata, and involved children from the entire community. It was a grand production. I remember yet the look on her face when she was presented a huge bouquet of red roses for all her years of helping with the children's performances. She loved it so very much!
Chelle is now the fourth generation in our family to carry on this tradition. Since tomorrow is my mom's birthday, I know that she was looking down in pride at her granddaughter directing the musical portion of the program tonight, and enjoying every minute of it.
