Tuesday, March 27, 2012

this land

A few weeks ago, out of the blue, I started singing the chorus to “this land is your land” in front of the kids. I saw Josh immediately perk up. So, I took the time to learn the correct chorus and first verse of the song and I sang it to the kids. I could tell that Josh liked it. For the next few nights I offered to sing it to the kids before bed and each time, Josh seemed mesmerized. It made me feel good to have him listen to me sing.

Today, Josh and I were on a "date" and Josh started talking about his day. He said they had a talent show at school and went on to describe how not all the kids were in the talent show. I asked him if he was in it and he said he was. I asked what his talent was. He sang to me the verses of “this land” that I had been singing to him. I hadn’t heard him sing it up to that point. I would have given anything to record that moment.  It brought tears to my eyes. He said he was nervous to sing it in front of everyone, but he did it anyway. Again, I am so amazed.

This Land is Your Land (by Woody Guthrie)

This land is your land, this land is my land
From California, to the New York Island
From the redwood forest, to the gulf stream waters
This land was made for you and me

As I was walking a ribbon of highway
I saw above me an endless skyway
I saw below me a golden valley
This land was made for you and me

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