Music is often referred to as the “voice of the day” or the “poetry of the masses.”  During this season of many celebrations, we can hear music and singing that speaks to the heart of what is meaningful to each of us.  In 1985 Whitney Houston released the song “The Greatest Love of All” which holds meaning for all the seasons of life.  The song speaks to the importance of love, the generations, resilience, and the need to continually educate our children and ourselves.  “I believe the children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way” and “I found the greatest love of all inside of me.”

On a recent trip picking up one of our grandsons from school, I took the opportunity to ask him to join me for a walk.  During this Pandemic I have found walking an ideal activity to connect and see some of my friends and family, while still maintaining social distance.   On this walk with my grandson, our discussion led us to the topic of living a meaningful life.  I asked if he knew much about the day of his birth, since the day had been filled with both fear and joy.  He had heard some things about the day’s events and about a vague reference that he may not have lived through the delivery.  In fact, after he was born, he was not breathing.  I shared with him more of the details that occurred that day and how the nurses and the doctors, like today’s frontline health workers, had worked hard to save his life.  I also shared that four years later, I had the privilege of meeting the nurse who gave him breath.  Our grandson immediately asked, “Do you know this woman because I would like to meet her?”  I told him that, when it is safe, we will seek her out together to see if she wants to meet.  Our plan for the future is set.

Everyday provides us opportunities to listen to others to better understand them and how they perceive their world.  During this time of uncertainty and anxiety it is important that we take the time to listen to and learn from each other, including our most precious resource, our children.