Friday, April 6, 2012

This Joyful Eastertide!



Music has always had an incredible presence in my life.  My father, whom I adored, was church organist and choir director.  He loved music and our house always reverberated with sounds from Bach to James Taylor.  The love of music was passed on to all six of his children and we all think of him any time we hear the song "Leader of the Band" by Dan Fogelberg.  Easter was a big time for a church musician and he loved the hymns of Easter.  All morning I have been humming a favorite hymn of his and I can almost hear his voice singing...
This Joyful Eastertide
This joyful Eastertide,
Away with sin and sorrow!
My love, the Crucified, 
Has sprung to life this morrow:
Had Christ, who once was slain,
Not burst his three-day prison,
Our faith had been in vain:
But now has Christ arisen, 
arisen, arisen:
But now has Christ arisen!
My dad died almost eighteen years ago, but sometimes it seems as if I saw him yesterday because of the love and memories he and my mother gave to us.  Because of Easter, I know I'll see him again.

My students made Easter eggs before spring break which, sadly, is coming to an end.  I asked them to write a psalm of praise for Easter.  Many of them turned them into letters, but their messages to Him are what I was hoping for.  I can't say I have a favorite because each child worked so hard and really put their hearts into the project.  I'll share a couple with you!
I love that she tells Jesus about how her dogs died.

Amen!

I didn't ask her to include me...but I was touched she did!

I wish you a joyful Eastertide!  May all your Easter bunnies be dark chocolate!!

Jenny

7 comments:

  1. That is so sweet. I think I might ask my oldest to write something similar on Easter. I've been having fun looking around this blog. You have a lot of handy things for someone with a first grader (who quick to say she is almost a second grader) and a future kindergartner.

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    1. Thank you, Renonda! Your children are at a wonderful age!You can have the greatest influence now in the areas of reading and writing. I know you are reading to them every day!!
      Jenny

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  2. What wonderful thoughts to share! I love the creative spelling, too. But, at this stage, more important to like to write that to be completely consumed w/ trivialities of spelling!

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    1. If they ask me how to spell something, at this point in the year I usually tell them, or have them look at the word wall. Some of my students love to write, but wouldn't if I insisted on all the correct spelling. I go over anything posted in the hall with each child and talk about their own writing. I love teaching writing, though it can be challenging and subjective!
      Jenny

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  3. Love these! Thanks for sharing them. They did an awesome job!


    First Grade Delight
    imgoingfirst@gmail.com

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    1. Everytime we write something I am amazed at their abilities. They love my enthusiasm over their writing and always try to out do what they had written before!
      Jenny

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  4. I am singing that song in anticipation for our 11:00 service . . . He is Risen; He is risen indeed! It's so painful to say goodbye to a loved one, especially a parent. Your dad's legacy lives on in you. Thank you for sharing his influence.

    Easter blessings,

    Barbara
    The Corner On Character

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Please give me a hoot!