Did you grow up in a family that went Christmas caroling? Every year our Camp Fire groups would climb on a haywagon and sing our way through the streets of our little town. Sometimes we would walk the halls of the local nursing home as well. Although I grew up in a family that loved to sing, I only remember us caroling as a family one time. I'm sure I enjoyed it, but I only specifically remember one house where we sang. It was my mom's friend, a single lady who's children were grown, and while I'm sure she loved it, the longer we sang the sillier I felt. I just wanted to get out of there.
I wanted to find a cheerful uplifting video of Christmas carolers to share with you today. Instead what I found was an Internet FULL of amateur videos conveying everything that I remember being painful in my own caroling life (freezing cold, people looking at you bored and confused). So, sorry. No classic caroling videos.
With my search at a dead end, I decided to share the two videos that amazed me and made me smile. I hope you enjoy!
3 songs, each one better than the last
It'll get addictive...
Do you have plans this week for Christmas caroling?
I went to a free concert last Friday with my family to see a band called Moosebutter. Self-billed as a comedy acapella group, I had never seen them in person, but was promised a night of hilarity. Not necessarily because the band is good or funny, but because my in-laws are notorious for making fun of something until you're laughing so hard they start laughing at you. Moosebutter on Friday night consisted of four middle-aged guys (I say middle-aged hesitantly because one of them went to school with my husband and that would mean I've now labelled myself with that heavy moniker) jumping around and shouting out melodic song parodies. I think sometimes they have only two guys and maybe sometimes they have five or six. This night there was a beat-boxer, a phenomenal falsetto, and two other guys. About every 10 minutes I found them genuinely entertaining, and then I morphed back into complete boredom and confusion. The show went on for nearly two hours and while my very first impression was that this was 4 winded guys who needed to sit down after the first stanza, by the end I was at least impressed that they were all still standing.
As the show ended, the park lights came up, and we were forced to rationalize the two hours of life we'd just lost, my thoughts went this way:
~That was really bad...I think I stared straight without blinking for at least half an hour
~Alright, they obviously have an audience. The stage was three-deep with pre-tweens that couldn't contain their enthusiasm. And, oddly (or sadly), there was an occasional uproar of attention from the larger audience which would indicate that at least the parent's of those pre-tweens were paying attention.
~Good for them for knowing their audience and not pretending they're trying to do anything more...well, surely they hope to be something more, but for now it's a great idea to work with what you've got.
Then I got a tad bit melancholy. As I listened to the last of the jokes putter out around me, it hit me: These are four guys who have found something they love to do and are making a living doing it. As I've done more research (on their humble website) I've come to the conclusion that this definitely is not a day job for any of them. Maybe that makes it acceptably better-a hobby that people are in some degree willing to indulge occasionally. Sounds pretty amazing!
On our way out of the venue, my husband made an effort to talk to the Moosebutter member he'd once palled around with. That is when the oddity and reality finally hit me. "Mr. Tim" is definitely my husband's age (just to clarify that's only around 35, we're not ancient yet). He shared great insight on the pitfalls of performing in that particular type of venue with parent-less children storming the stage. He looked tired, but was so obviously still the center of attention amongst all the Moosebutter groupies. Then, as we were talking a boy looking at least 10-years-old came up and called Mr. Tim "dad." Everyone in our party did a double-take. Turns out Mr. Tim has SIX kids and still finds time to dress up in a red monkey suit and babble nonsensically onstage every now and then.
Moosebutter in concert ended up being a shot in the arm for me. Big deal that I didn't find myself entertained beyond my wildest belief, and how impressive is it that we made ourselves feel better by mocking people more willing to share their talents than we ever will be. I have great ideas about living the life I want rather than the life society has pigeon-holed for me. People are doing it! Moosebutter is doing it! I want to being it, too!
Interesting Fact #1: Duane and his wife Diane brought 15 hilarious and thoughtful people into the world. After Diane passed away from ovarian cancer, Duane and his 15 kids relied on their faith that the family is central to the Lord's plan and that He had a plan for each one of them. A year later an equally faith-filled woman named Sharon came into their lives and together the 17 of them continued onward into the world. Now, nearly 25 years later 17 has grown to 87 with 15 spouses, 54 grandchildren, and the oldest grandchild's fiance joining the family this year.
Interesting Fact #2: There is a fairly short song every LDS Primary child knows called, "Follow the Prophet," (9 verses is short for a kid's song, right?). Asked to write the song only weeks after Diane had passed away, the song holds special meaning to our family and Duane continues to share the message portrayed in the song whenever he has the opportunity.
Interesting Fact #3 Duane is the only rock star I know. Really! In the days of Elvis and the Beetles he performed in a band called "The Three D's." Touring across the United States, Canada, and Asia in a time when the face of music was changing, they found increasing success by keeping a clean image and entertaining without lowering their moral standards. Their music is particularly refreshing today when #1 hits too often are denigrating and evocatively offensive. Covering both religious and secular subjects and songs, each album has distinct character. My personal favorite album is Rhyme, Rhythm, and Reason-Great Poetry Set to Music.
My father-in-law has lived a full life and earned the right to sit and rest, but that's not who he is. He continues guiding the people around him with big ideas and entertaining delivery. The Three D's message is as essential and applicable as it was when three young family men first took it out on the road and that is the reason I'm sharing this part of my life with you!
For your last chance at an early entry in my A Blogtastic Extravaganza giveaway, leave a comment here telling me something from this post that has peaked your curiosity!
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
-Gil Bailie, as quoted in Wild At Heart by John Eldredge
Two thoughts on my mind today. First, of course Beck isn't eschewing the true meaning of Christmas...I haven't given him any kind of example to follow. Second, I have done a terrible job of keeping my own identity as a woman and not just a wife and mother. I don't feel like writing about the first one, seeing as how it would entail delving into the ugly parts of me and I already do that all too frequently. Instead, a more positive path to lead me back to me.
Sometime in the seven years I've been married, I've completely lost me. I can't say anymore that I have any hobbies. I don't hang out with gal pals. I don't have the patience to be pampered. It's almost guaranteed that if I tell you something I like to do, it's something I do with my whole family. This has been really weighing on me. It's the main reason I'm trying so hard to get back in the habit of writing. That is something I love to do...just for me.
This isn't going to lead right now to me listing projects I want to start or pastimes I used to have. I suppose maybe those will come later. No, today I want to recognize and thank some of the wonderful women around me who have held on to who they are or who have found new parts of themselves during their journey.
Kathy, Brooke, & Kimberly Three of my beautiful sisters (of course, the other two are fabulous as well!). We were raised to be crafty and our Mom was always looking for creative ways to make a little extra money. Now they have followed in her wake. Kathy was always quite artistic and now is decorating beautiful cakes. Brooke was a single-mom for years and began designing silverware jewelry to take care of her kids. And Kimberly is a new mom now, trying to do the same for her family. A fashion designer at heart, she has created a niche for herself everywhere from Renaissance fairs to baby showers. I'm lucky to have so much creativity in the family.
Annie
I find my inspiration from Annie in a completely different way. Life threw us together as sisters-in-law, and I'm grateful. We probably would have never been found hanging out in the same circles. What Annie brings to her life is a zeal and appreciation for having close friends to share celebrations and hardship. The people she chooses to be around know how much she loves them. And she takes the time to get away and be just with them every now and then. Away from her kids and her husband. Girl time just to be free.
Amanda An old friend from my Alaska days whom I haven't seen in years, but Amanda is still inspiring me. She's a little off the wall, maybe a little off her rocker. She's kookie and I love her kookie-ness. Amanda loves life! That's how she inspires me. She keeps dreaming and reaching and makes my dreams seem a little less out there.
Darla
I don't know a lot about Darla, I'll admit. She takes my rent each month and I try hard to not give her a reason to evict me. What I do know about Darla, though, is that she uplifts her family. In the trenches right now with serious illness, financial difficulties, and all kinds of unknowns, her faith is strong. No person is immune from doubt or frustration, but her testimony is bright. She hasn't shied away from service, her family obviously loves her, and they're making it through okay. It's completely selfish, but watching her walk through the life she has today uplifts me.
Ladies, thank you. For being you and having flaws and sharing them with me. But also for not being scared or hesitant or resigned to defining yourself as less than you want to be. You're helping me to be a better me.
The Deseret Book at Temple Square is presenting a watercolor art exhibit through the end of the Christmas Season. The artist is Elder Richard G. Scott (Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints). After admiring a friend's artwork, Elder Scott began exploring his own artistic abilities and 40 years later is sharing the product of that decision. A nuclear engineer by trade, Elder Scott has found inspiration and escape through painting. A hidden talent now on public display.
This particular art exhibit has thoroughly intrigued me as I struggle daily to find inspiration in sharing my own talents. I am a writer, I feel confident enough to say. I find joy in putting words together and enjoy when other people read what I have to say. Just as with Elder Scott, maybe people are not aware of that talent within me. I have not exercised my ability in some time. Call it writer's block, or laziness, it has been a long time since I've been able to stream together a series of sentences that anyone else would want to read. It seems the more stressed or overwhelmed my life becomes, the quicker I am to turn away from what should be a source of release. I feel like I have absolutely nothing to say.
My father-in-law, Duane Hiatt, has been a performer all his life. Singing, orating, and enacting historical impressions, his talents and abilities have always been out there for the public to see. When Ben and I were first married it was so exciting to see him performing Lincoln or giving a fireside or singing old 3d's tunes. I use to be so baffled that his own kids and other in-laws were not as captivated as me. I've deciphered, though, that it's because Duane has not spent his life afraid to share those songs and stories; they are well-known and well-appreciated by the people who have known him for long periods of his life.
And, so, I find it encouraging that he is now writing a blog in which he's sharing stories and lessons that not everybody has known. It is surprising people and generations that have known him for awhile, that his ability to tell a story through the written-word is as entertaining as all his other abilities. Obviously, Duane is in a different time of life than I am, but he's still a busy man finding time to share his thoughts and bring brief rays of light in my sometimes uninspiring days.
We hear all the time that each of us has talents to develop and share. I know a lot of people but wouldn't say that I know the special abilities of too many of them. That makes me sad. I want to know what inspires you, what gives you joy and a break from the mundane-ness of your day. I want to find more inspiration to share my talents with you-maybe talents I don't even recognize that I have, but definitely the writing ability I know I do have.
With these thoughts as my inspiration today, I'm going to spell-check and post without doing any other proof-reading. If I take one moment to review and re-think today I know this will turn into one more thought that never makes it out of my head. Thank you for reading. Give me the opportunity to reciprocate with your God-given talents and abilities. I look forward to it!
