The Micah Series 2/5: Nina/Mom

(The Micah Series 2/5: Nina/Mom)

"It was a hot summer day with the AC blasting and I was in the kitchen, mindlessly singing Jingle Bells, again! As soon as I noticed, the dread of doing all those dishes disappeared and a smile spread across my face because I knew that humming "Jingle Bells" in the middle of summer could only mean one thing: Micah was playing his Ukulele. My son showed an interest in music at a very young age, with Phantom of the Opera being his number one love. As he grew up, his interest went from listening to the music, to playing it. Micah’s siblings all played guitar so there was always one or two laying around for him to find. He would strum the strings upwards, backwards, and sideways with his little fingers. When the time came to get him his own guitar he played it until the strings were no long attached.

Then one summer his older brother came home from Hawaii with a Ukulele. Micah would sneak the Ukulele and we would hear giggles and music coming from the backyard, the closet, or under the bed. We always found Micah playing that little music maker wherever he could take it. Eventually we bought Micah his own Ukulele and with his brother’s help he learned how to play. I will never forget when Micah came up to me wearing a stylish cap and bowtie and said, “mom I have a song for you.” He took my hand and lead me to a chair he had set up. I sat down and wept tears of joy as Micah and his brother played “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” on the ukulele.

Micah’s ukulele has become part of the family joining us everyday and at every celebration. He’s learned many songs, but we all know that each session starts and ends with jingle bells. Because for Micah, there is no music without Christmas music. Which is why I often find myself singing Jingle Bells in the middle of a summer heatwave, feeling grateful for the magic my son brings to my life everyday."

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