Today . . .

April 27, 2007
Today . . .

The children had a performance at the VA Hospital and Nursing Home in Tampa. It was the facility’s “Heritage Day”, or as we call it “Multi-cultural, Politically-Correct Diversity Day”. Last year (our first) and this, it seems that every “culture” or “heritage” has been represented except what used to be considered the “American” heritage. I guess we were that.

The children did a wonderful job, aside from the wind in the microphones. But thank God for the wind! It was breezy and a little overcast, plus the performers were blessed with a nice canopy on the asphalt, so in all it was not nearly as HOT as last year.

The older ones are becoming very adept at handling unexpected occurrences on stage, such as mikes toppling, forgotten solos, unusual audience members, etc. And it is rewarding to see the younger ones become more stage-aware. It helps them to be able to concentrate more on blessing others than on their stage fright. Markie (9) and Abby (10) are becoming real little troupers with their Little Cowgirl solos!

What a privilege to be able to span the generations for our grandchildren – seeing them shake hands with the shrinking number of WWII vets who take special pains to come down and hear them sing and play old songs they used to know when they were just boys. They always, always express their exuberant gratitude for the time the children have taken to come all that way to honor them.

My mother, of course, beamed when we arrived. She is such a fixture there at the VA that everyone knows her. She is my father’s greatest advocate, and he has been there a good while, so the staff and long-term patients all smile and greet her when she walks by. She always brings sunshine wherever she goes.

My husband spoke for a moment to express younger America’s appreciation for the sacrifices of these men, especially bringing attention to my father, who probably didn’t have a whole lot of awareness of what was going on. But he surely did know when the children were performing some of his favorite old hymns and bluegrass classics.

Well, we have decisions to make. Every performance brings more requests for CDs and live performances by the children. It has never been our intention or desire to go for the “big time”, but many people feel they could attain a level of success. And our quiet, beautiful country life close to each other is too precious to toss away for the big push.


That is just not who we are. First must come the Lord and our relationships in individual families, then the wonderful bond of extended family. These relationships will be the sheltering, strong arms that carry the children through changing years ahead. It has been a purposeful, dedicated effort on the part of their parents, and in many ways their grandparents, to root into them the beauty of character that the world loves and wants to see more of. Only the Lord can give us the wisdom to find that balance between sharing the gifts and talents that come only from Him, and carefully guarding the precious treasure of a family whose desire is to live whole-heartedly by His precepts and for His glory alone. Thank You, Lord, that You promise that very wisdom in your Word.