Little birds And bows Snowflakes And icicles Packed away Carefully Until next year… Next year I’m still Thinking about This year At least for One more day Well, actually Longer than that I would imagine- People, places And things Sprinkled thru The days, weeks And months Mostly the people And their impact On my life- Memories Unlike the Little birds And bows Snowflakes And icicles Have no need Of being Carefully Packed away
Another year To celebrate Family Friends Goodwill And cheer Mercy Grace Forgiveness And hope A precious gift Tiny baby born Lying in a manger Sleeping among The animals Listening to The Lullaby Of angels
When I consider Christmas past, some gifts stand out. The jewelry box from mom and dad that was also a music box! Dolls of the World from my Aunt Sharon. A voice print of my kids saying Mama from Gart. How my Granny Mahar always had a gift for each of her twenty-six grandchildren. ❤️
Great or small, each gift was given in love. And each giver holds a place in my heart.
I’ve been called sentimental more than once. There’s no denying it. But the older I get, the more my sentiments rest on people, not on things. Each memory is a gift held in the heart. Tied together by an unending ribbon of affection, six-inch curls in between. 😉
Silent Night, arranged by Phillip Everen Kelley Morris, piano
Christmas Time is Here by Vince Guaraldi Kelley Morris, piano
Far away stars Shine bright Against the Night sky Rays of sunlight Suddenly pierce Gray clouds After a storm Tiny lights Gently twinkle Among the Evergreen branches- Light speaks all languages Providing Glimmers of hope Bursts of joy Moments of Mercy Only a little Is required To illuminate The Darkness
So simple So completely Disarming We celebrate Its appearance On babies faces Then proceed Doing everything Possible to Encourage Its return- A sweet smile Lighting up Faces Lighting up Rooms Lighting up Hearts When noticed By a friend Mine somehow Grows wider Reaches deeper Prompting Inward Reflection Inspiring Outward Awareness- Are the faces Drifting by Genuinely Beaming? Or are they Searching For a reason To smile?
These five drove four-and-a-half hours to celebrate Christmas with my parents. The visit may have been short, but its sweetness will last a long time. ❤️
Laundry The night Before Means Packing The night Before Means Bedtime later Than normal Restless sleep Like a child Waiting for Tomorrow To arrive Except No longer A child And though My heart Will be ready My body Will be tired Counting on A little caffeine A little music A little conversation To carry me safely Down the road From home To home And back again…
As I head to Arkansas to spend a week with my parents, I am thankful.
Thankful for my husband who says-Go! This is most important.
Thankful for my adult children who say-We understand! We will see you there!
And for extended family and friends who say-We will miss you! See you another time. Safe travels!
The ground weeps This morning Unable To hold back The tears Soaked into Its roots From those Crying above Hearts Once light Now heavy With worries Witnesses to Devastation Prevailing wind Moves across The land Initially Unsuccessful In drying Their tears And yet, not Deterred I feel it Right now Gently caressing My face As it whispers Let your tears Mingle with The suffering Watering Seeds of hope Waiting For Silent Night
Several First-grade students: Mrs. Morris! I am signing up for your piano class!
A Fifth-grade student: Mrs. Morris…why is it only for first and second graders?
I am excited to offer a piano club for the first time! It will be for First and Second graders. Looking into offering a second class. Shhhhh…
Scene Two
A group of teachers and school staff members at Target:
It is Angel Tree time at our school. Teachers and staff work diligently to make sure our students have what they need along with something they want. This year, a local corporation sponsored some of our angels. All they needed were shoppers.
What are you looking for? Here are some cool Legos! Oh, and these shoes are cute! What do you think about this hoodie?
Passing each other in the store, all smiling as we searched for just the right gifts. The same as in the halls each day at school. Sometimes with tears instead of smiles, always with concern for our students.
A few of our secret shoppers. ❤️💚
Scene Three
The music classroom.
Me: Today is our student teacher, Mr. Malone’s last day with us. We need to say thank you and goodbye.
Student One: Why can’t he be our teacher? Are you ready to retire?
Student Two: Wait, is he a student? But he is a grownup!
Student Three: (Eyes welling up with tears.) I am going to miss him. (Crying along with a goodbye hug.)
Scene Four
The community kitchen-bustling with holiday cheer.
Friday morning, teachers and staff were treated to a pancake breakfast! The counter was lined with bowls of strawberries, bananas, chocolate chips. Complete with peanut butter, syrup, and whipped cream. The jolly cooks were none other than our administrators!
I have not spent enough time at my piano in recent weeks. So this week, I decided to remedy that. With it being Christmas time, what to play was an easy choice.
As I played through several old Christmas hymns, the word balance kept coming to mind. No matter the context, there are always notes, voices, instruments, rhythms that need to be heard above the rest. And quite often, that spotlight is shared, giving others a chance to be heard.
Even though one voice might not be the momentary focus, it remains essential to the music. Where would that melody be without harmony? Or that jazz riff without the brushes of the drum floating behind it?
When I sat down to play this morning, I began by playing the hymns as written. Though tempting, I did not add any embellishments. My goal was to play so that the melody rang out clearly, while the harmony provided support.
After reading the music as written, I went back and added new rhythms, patterns, harmonies while keeping the melody clear. Both versions required the same thing-balance.
I have said this before, but the only time my brain is calm is while I am playing the piano. Somehow, it provides an inner balance. There is that word again. Outside voices are quieted. Worries of the day temporarily disappear.
Music reminds me that I do not need to raise my voice above the crowds. Although I may have something important to say, unless it is balanced with love for those in hearing range, I should probably remain part of the harmony.
Harmony-that is my prayer for this Christmas. For there to be less shouting and more listening. That we may experience joy amid our sadness. And hope that outweighs our fears. Merry Christmas!
Please enjoy a few Christmas carols! ❤ Kelley Morris, piano
What Child is This?I Heard the Bells on Christmas DatCome Thou Long Expected JesusHark the Herald Angels Sing