do re mi

I heard a familiar tune being sung down the hallway. “Do, a deer, a female deer…” 

 I ran down the hall to where Lucy and her classmate (our neighbor) were at the kitchen table, singing together. I started singing with them. “Re, a drop of golden sun!” 

 “You know this song?” they asked. 

 “Yes! Did you guys learn this at school?!” They had, in music class, and they proudly sang the whole song. My heart soared. We played the soundtrack version over Alexa, as they ran around the house, little sisters catching on. 

 So for movie night this week, I knew what we had to watch. I didn’t know how it would go - kids these days seem to have such short attention spans, and The Sound of Music starts off with a bunch of nuns for a while! 

 But when the camera zoomed up on Maria spinning in the meadow, singing “the hills are alive,” I breathed a happy sigh.  

When the captain whistled for the children and their footsteps sounded through the house, I soaked in how the girls stared in fascination. 

 And when we got to Do-Re-Mi, we were all ready to sing along. As the song came to its climax, Maria leading the children through green arches, singing and dancing, I found myself choking up. 

 Passing on the joys of my own life and childhood brings me so much happiness. Sharing the best of humanity, the most joyful and pure pieces of life and culture, is so deeply rewarding. 

 Thank you Julie Andrews for the magic you’ve given so many generations. Thank you for teaching us to sing. Starting at the very beginning is the very best place to start.

 (Also, I felt very comforted when I realized Maria becomes the children’s stepmom, the best of them!)