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October 2006
Something to Celebrate
Mrs. Donna - North Canton
 Usually, the young mother was showered and dressed before the children got up, but this morning, they had roused early. She had opened one eye to see little Heather waiting with three books. Next came Joshua with his stack. Snuggling in bed and reading had taken them way past-breakfast time.
Since breakfast, she had folded laundry, tidied the toy room, participated in the making of several play-dough creations, and baked real cookies while singing, “This is the way we Roll the Dough.”
Miraculously, there was still time for Calgon to take her away before lunch. The young mother closed the bathroom door, letting the tub fill with bubbles. As she stepped in to soak, a phrase came to mind: "And It Came To Pass…" -- She had read this seemingly “meaningless” phrase many times in Scripture, but now it seemed more relevant. Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the bathroom door.
“Mommy, Can I come in?”
Will I ever be able to bathe alone? She wondered.
The phrase came back to her. “And it Came to Pass…” Suddenly, she realized that the phrase was important. Someday the little voice by her side wouldn’t be “little” any more. Someday her energies wouldn’t be so singularly focused on her children. Someday there would be no toys to pick up from the floor…Someday, it would “come to pass.”
Just as first steps had come and gone, potty training would soon be a distant memory (she couldn’t wait for that one!). She knew that the way she parented a two-year-old was different than the way she related to a four-year-old. She knew she would have much to learn about each stage of their young lives…on and on. She sensed that there would be something special to look forward to at each age.
She settled in for one more moment in the tub…grateful for today. It would soon be time for lunch. She looked forward to the song and dance that would go with that routine: “Peanut, Peanut Butter….and Jelly!” She smiled as she thought of what was to come, even if it would come to pass. It was sure to be something to celebrate!
Author’s Note:
This article was adapted from “And it Came to Pass,”* a longer narrative which I wrote after Jo Kirk, founder and director of WeJoySing, shared with me what this “little” phrase meant to her. Jo’s wonderful example has helped shape my own parenting over the years, and I thank her.
 Though her own children are grown, through her vivacious, youthful spirit, Jo continues to inspire parents to be creative in their positive parenting and to enJOY those fleeting early childhood years. Now, it has come to pass that something new is budding in the Kirk family! The WeJoySing family tree is looking forward to the arrival of Heather and Kevin’s new little “sprout”! Jo and Ken will be grandparents!
In the coming months, Music Notes will present “Something to Celebrate” a series designed to help parents:
- recognize various stages of their child’s development
- celebrate the successes of these stages, and
- adjust their positive, musical parenting with each new leg of the journey.
For now, you can plan for the future by registering for WeJoySing’s Holiday Session. Just remember to revel in the moment of today. Maybe you’ll even find time to take a bath… (with an audience, of course!)
*If you’d like to read the full version of the narrative “And it Came to Pass,” send your request to Mrs. Donna at pinecross@speedynet.net.
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