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« Listen to Angels | Main | Veracity »

Often so moving a natural tendency is to attach

a super-natural meaning to what we hear.

Naturally, my third annual Angelic Blog Carnival starts with some moving music.

The Blessing

I imagine my many readers placing such a prayer over their children each day, in some form or fashion.

For gracing my blog by reading this post, I bless you. Please bless the entrants into this carnival with your comments on their entries.

Music

That moving, emotional – force – that naturally occurs when we hear music – powerful .

A natural power

A force of nature

Not surprising the ancients ascribed angels the specific task of praising the Divine with constant song .

Regular readers will not be surprised I found a neurological reference to music . [Naturally.]

If you are interested in music and brain function, watch a ~10 minute video of Dr. Steven Moore as he explains the theory that music is “fundamental to human brain function”.

Fundamental – core – basic – innate -> spiritual ?

An angel is the perfect icon for the inner voice of music.

I am the voice.

Music seems to help Nathan gain and refine his voice. His mother, Mrs. Mac, also testified that music brings out the best in Nathan.

Adding music to my therapy sessions is a bit hit-and-miss. I’m not much of a singer but I can carry a tune. I specifically remember singing to children in the room in this photo (c. 1977). In particular, while giving vestibular experience in a swing, I’d sing the ABCs and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star . [Same tune; composed by Mozart.]

Music is much more valuable than as an afterthought in therapy. Music is professionally its own therapeutic medium. Dr. Moore’s wife, Kimberly, tells you how to become a music therapist .

I can’t read music but I think I can tell if a child can hear. With equal measure of evidence and intuition, SugarMagnolia shared how her daughter proved ‘the professional’ wrong by responding to music . What if SugarMagnolia had accepted the audiologist’s opinion and gone silent – would the prophecy prediction have become self-fulfilling?

I love the feelings evoked by music . Despite entering through my ears in scientific and physiological ways, the translation of music within my nervous system can result in a sensory experience that is full-body, movement-inducing, chills-giving, tear-producing and voice-prompting.

Is that how Elisabeth feels when she creates music - ? Or Elisabeth’s mother, Lisa, who is an accomplished violinist ( and probably can describe her feelings more eloquently than I just did ). Lisa’s description of the role of music in Elisabeth’s life brings us back to the idea of 'fundamental', and because she can participate in music , music is Elisabeth's gift.

Despite my many inadequacies in the realm of music , I recognized its importance in the lives of our babies – just as Stacey did (with the help of an angelic grandmother). Stacey’s full report on music in the lives of her children matches me on several levels. “I honestly believe that the power of music is almost as much as the power of angels…” Exactly, Stacey.

A transporting-kind-of-power. K said of her son, R: "Somehow with R, where we can not go with words, we go with song ". Taking his parents to places - to music - they might have never heard - R is also transported via music . Read where he goes.

Not surprisingly, I cannot write music . [Either.] Have you met my friend Shaney Faini, PT? She has written music , lyrics & sings songs that inspire me (and possibly comfort you?). As an appreciative consumer of biologically fundamental and holy music I.am.in.awe of those who have written music . Sometimes I muse on the lives of great composers like Mozart and Beethoven. [Admit it, you do, too.]

Meeting a mommy-blogger who is a talented singer and composer gives me the feeling of meeting someone famous, important and influential. That is how I feel when I read Fawn’s story of music in the life of her children . From the pain of her child developing seizures Fawn wrote within a song the question: “Who will teach you how to soar?” In the spiritual conclusion of her song was a commitment to be one of her child’s teachers. And her daughter has learned.

I award the carnival prize to Fawn.

Please send me your mailing address, Fawn.

If you have enjoyed this carnival please post or tweet about it.

Adored the carnival and really enjoyed connectng with the other participants

Posted by: K Floortime lite mama | September 28, 2010 at 07:07 AM

Looks like another awesome blog carnival, Barbara! Can't wait to read all the entries. We are finding that Bitty is drawn to music, he not only loves to sing but has recently taken an interest in the piano. Last Saturday morning he treated the family to an impromptu performance while we were all still in bed... he was playing and singing along :). We may look at getting him some lessons if the interest continues (and when his attention span catches up just a little bit to his interest level). ;)

Posted by: Danette | September 28, 2010 at 07:08 AM

If it was your carnival that prompted Floortime lite mama to write her recent post on music, Thank you!! I always love K's writing and perspectives, but this one was especially lovely.

Posted by: Carrie N | September 28, 2010 at 11:36 AM

All of the carnival entries are touching and heart felt! Cj thrives while listening to music! It brings him such joy that words can not describe. I can not sing well but god bless him he loves it when I do! His 5 year old brother Ryan LOVES to sing and is good at it (my hubby is good too). He sings to Cj all the time. Many songs are from The Sound of Music. One of my favorite movies of all time! Our family loves music and we have many musically talented family and friends! Music is a pathway to your soul.

Posted by: Cj's Mom | September 28, 2010 at 03:23 PM

Thank you so much Barbara! I am so touched. I've enjoyed reading all the entries to the carnival. Thank you for being, as always, such a gracious hostess!

Posted by: Fawn | September 28, 2010 at 03:48 PM

Beautiful. The song "The Blessing,", this carnival, all of it.

'Despite entering through my ears in scientific and physiological ways, the translation of music within my nervous system can result in a sensory experience that is full-body, movement-inducing, chills-giving, tear-producing and voice-prompting.' Amen, sister.

I am so grateful for music and appreciative of Shaney's music. THANK YOU for sending it to us. We have indeed found it comforting, and it's on Rhema's iPod!

A quick story (that kind of reminds me of Grateful Mama's post): Last year Rhema had a hearing test after her tubes were removed. She's never passed a hearing test because she's just not particularly motivated to respond to sounds and people's voices. She can certainly hear, but you could never prove it with a standard hearing test. They called in two SLPs who tried everything to engage Rhema and help her take the test. Nothing worked... until they put on some Mozart here and there... and everytime Rhema responded, but only when they put on the music.

Cool pict from 1977. I was just a baby then. Ha!

Posted by: rhemashope | September 28, 2010 at 07:16 PM

What a wonderful group of entries - thank you for putting them all together for us!

Posted by: Trish | September 28, 2010 at 09:12 PM

Checking them all out!

Posted by: starrlife | September 29, 2010 at 07:12 AM

This is my favorite blogging carnival yet! I am excited to go through and read all the links.

Thanks for letting us be a part of it Barbara!

Posted by: Lisa | September 29, 2010 at 09:12 AM

It was fun to write the piece...and amazing to read everyone else's. Congratulations, Fawn, and thanks Barbara for this fun challenge!

Posted by: Sugar Magnolia | September 29, 2010 at 01:52 PM

I'm taking my sweet time checking out the entries; better late than never. Thanks for putting this together ...

Posted by: Mrs. Mac | October 01, 2010 at 07:03 AM

Thanks to all! I will admit I keep opening this page to just listen to the two songs. Over.and.over.again.

Posted by: Barbara who lives here | October 01, 2010 at 10:20 AM

I have been so busy that I missed this blog carnival. Sorry. I have sung more songs during therapy sessions than I care to remember. I am monotone but I like to sing jingles about everything that the kids are doing. I have come up with some crazy tunes. Keeps the kids laughing.

Posted by: Your Therapy Source | October 01, 2010 at 07:56 PM

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My Life is but a weaving Between my Lord and me; I cannot choose the colors He worketh steadily. Oft times He weaveth sorrow And I, in foolish pride, Forget He sees the upper, And I the under side. Not til the loom is silent And the shuttles cease to fly, Shall God unroll the canvas And explain the reason why. The dark threads are as needful In the Weaver's skillful hand, As the threads of gold and silver In the pattern He has planned. He knows, He loves, He cares, Nothing this truth can dim. He gives His very best to those Who chose to walk with Him. Grant Colfax Tullar

Oft times He weaveth sorrow And I, in foolish pride, Forget He sees the upper, And I the under side.

Not til the loom is silent And the shuttles cease to fly, Shall God unroll the canvas And explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful In the Weaver's skillful hand, As the threads of gold and silver In the pattern He has planned.

He knows, He loves, He cares, Nothing this truth can dim. He gives His very best to those Who chose to walk with Him.

Grant Colfax Tullar

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