Get your carol on!

car·ol  (krl)

n.

1. A song of praise or joy, especially for Christmas.

2. An old round dance often accompanied by singing.

v.intr.

1. To sing in a loud, joyous manner.

2. To go from house to house singing Christmas songs.

Have you ever gone caroling? I have fond memories of going Christmas caroling with my church youth choir every year as a teen, and occasionally [unsuccessfully] with my friends when we were younger, but our choir stopped several years ago. Last year we did bring it back and decided to change it up, from caroling at local workplaces to caroling the old-fashioned way – walking through the neighborhood with our little red booklets, stopping at certain houses. It was fun but, well, freezing, and only a handful of people actually were home or even bothered to notice. Fortunately for me I have been able to go caroling with some of my peers from school, as a fun, give-back-to-the-community activity for our CMENC (Collegiate Music Educators National Conference) chapter. We usually go to Public School 84 in the morning, get lunch, and then head to Roswell Park Cancer Institute. The past two years I have only been able to make it to Roswell and I had never been to PS 84. PS 84 is the Buffalo public school for students with special needs; it is located behind ECMC and I think it's officially called Health Care Center for Children at ECMC. 

This year Roswell unfortunately canceled on us at the last minute because they double-booked for the whole day, so we only went to PS 84. Seeing as I had never been there before, I didn't really know what to expect. I was pretty excited nonetheless (come on, who doesn't love Christmas caroling?!). I'm not gonna lie though, a big part of my excitement came from the fact that we had our first real snowfall last night and the bleak outside world had transformed into a winter wonderland. Even though I had only slept for two hours (I could not fall asleep last night), I was excited to get up--and if you know me, you know this is NOT NORMAL. I put on my Christmas accessories and snow boots, and I was even excited to go out into the snowy cold and brush off my car two cars. Come on, the first snow is always fun. Donning my Santa hat, I made a stop at Tim's to get some hot chocolate and a gingerbread donut, and even ordered some extra Timbits for everyone--the majority of which I ended up giving to the construction workers at school. We all hate these construction workers the constant construction that has taken over Rockwell Hall. At first I was surprised they were there at 7:30am on Study Day, but then I realized it's their job. [Me: "I wonder what time they got here... It's like they live here." Rachel O: "Just like us." ha!] By this point the Christmas spirit had overtaken me, and it felt good knowing that I made their day just a little bit better. The man I gave the box to seemed so delighted. 

Recap: I sleep for two hours, wake up and get out of bed without hitting the snooze, get ready, brush off and move our tenant's car, brush off my car, stop at Timmy Ho's, drive slowly and carefully to school, and arrive at my destination EARLY?? Early, as in, the first one there?? Wait, what?! Yup, it's safe to say that I was definitely overtaken by Christmas spirit.

When we arrived at PS 84, I guess I just expected to sing some songs to the kids, make them smile and make their day, and go home. Just your average caroling experience. Boy was I wrong. It was probably one of the best musical experiences I've ever had. These kids were so cute. But cute is an understatement. Seeing the pure joy on some of their faces, just from eight college kids singing some thrown-together Christmas tunes, brought me such joy and made me tear up several times (I'm such a sap). We were only in our first room and these two twin boys were literally shaking and moving their arms all over because they were so excited, and there I am getting all teary-eyed as I sing what was probably "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer". I remember telling myself, Get a grip! You're only in the first room! Just sing! Room after room we sang to such beautiful, wonderful kids, who were so happy that we were there. Here we were, eight [sleep-deprived] college kids, not even all vocalists, just winging it. And they loved it. One of the little girls was smiling the whole time, and afterwards her teacher told us that for her to smile before noon is a miracle. One of the kids in the lunchroom couldn't resist and got up and started happily dancing. Some of their disabilities were worse than others, but to see the joy on each of their faces was simply priceless. I was reminded and amazed yet again at the incredible power of music. How can something completely change someone's mood in one second? At the first word of a song, for example, Frosty (Frosty and Rudolph were favorites), their countenances immediately changed to rapturous delight. Some tried to clap, tap, and sing along. It was just great. I wanted to stay all day or go to another location and keep singing! It was a shame we couldn't go to Roswell. However I am still planning on going door-to-door caroling with some of my church friends in the next few weeks. 

So now I come to what I originally came on here to say: get out there and do something nice for someone else! After all, this is the season of giving, right? There are plenty of hospitals, nursing homes, and shelters out there. If you aren't musical, you could maybe make a craft or home-made cards for sick patients, elderly, or even go buy a teddy bear to give to a child. Or simply donate a gift to one of the groups that you always hear about on the radio. Serve a meal. Shovel someone's driveway. Donate an old coat, or winter clothes for a clothing drive. There are plenty of ways to help out here in WNY. You could even bake some cookies and deliver them to someone you know that's not well, to hey, your favorite construction workers (ha), to a neighbor, friend, whomever. I know all this may sound cliché, but trust me, it truly is better to give than to receive. A Biblical principal that is 110% true. Just try it!!

Boy, if I thought I was in the Christmas mood before today, I really am now. Merry Christmas!!!