I have spent the last 3 days working on the spring musicals we do at our school. As the music teacher, one of my jobs is to prepare the program and teach it to the children. I am sure most of you don’t know this, (and why should you?) but there is very, very little in the way of musical programs for the younger child. Much more is available for the older children. So, many years ago, I started writing my own programs. I pick a theme, and begin compiling available music from different sources. Then, I will add in poems, and Bible verses relating to the theme. This is when my real work starts. Because there is not enough to choose from, I start writing songs…words and music or just words, sometimes. This way, I can get across the message I want to and don’t have to rely on music that doesn’t quite fit. I actually love this part. We do 4 programs in May, so that means I prepare 3 different programs. Of course, some of the songs overlap, which helps. But it all needs to be age appropriate. We have a group of 66 kindergartners who are graduating…so for that program, that means 66 parts! Wow!

This is the year I am going to retire, after teaching there for 20 years. So, this is the last program I will do. That is a bittersweet statement for me. Even though I know this is the right decision, it is going to be hard to go. God has so blessed me with a perfect job, a perfect boss, perfect co-workers, and semi-perfect children!
Going to work is not like going to work…it is like a fun time with friends and family. I will miss it. But, I’m putting that out of my head for now…there’s work to be done…music to be taught…and songs to be sung!