Mitchell with baby Jericho My 27th grandchild was born last week. He was well anticipated since this is the first child of my youngest son who didn't get married until he was older. This little boy's arrival was looked forward to anxiously, but few of us have been able to meet him because of some complications at his birth. Although the whole family wants to celebrate and party with this new little guy, we must be patient and wait until he is stronger. Truth be told, we couldn't wait for this blessed change to our family status to get here! Change and old age are not yet issues with this cute little new life!
But CHANGE and OLD AGE can be frightening in other circumstances.
Sadness always comes at the passing of loved ones and people we may not have known personally, but have admired. Sadness (for us mainly) at not having them around to guide us anymore. Certainly not sadness for the ones who have passed on. They are released from this world of pain and strife to a glorious reunion with God and their other loved ones on the other side. But we are left with a feeling of needing to pick up the pieces and find new ways to carry on. Maybe I am just getting old enough myself to have known many great people who have fulfilled their time on earth. Still, that doesn't make the transitions any easier.
But CHANGE and OLD AGE can be frightening in other circumstances.
Sadness always comes at the passing of loved ones and people we may not have known personally, but have admired. Sadness (for us mainly) at not having them around to guide us anymore. Certainly not sadness for the ones who have passed on. They are released from this world of pain and strife to a glorious reunion with God and their other loved ones on the other side. But we are left with a feeling of needing to pick up the pieces and find new ways to carry on. Maybe I am just getting old enough myself to have known many great people who have fulfilled their time on earth. Still, that doesn't make the transitions any easier.
In 2013, I wrote a Mini-Musical "The Tale of the Musicians of Bremen." This is one of the German tales collected by the Brothers Grimm. Until recently, I don't think I truly understood that story. I usually dismissed it as un-musical. Who wants to be entertained by animals with obnoxious voices who think they are great singers? In my adolescent thinking, I missed the entire point of the story.
From my more mature vantage point now, I think I am coming to understand it better. This story is about FEAR of CHANGE and facing GROWING OLD -- two topics that the young have no use for whatsoever. Young people are all about embracing CHANGE. And they are usually very EXCITED ABOUT GROWING OLDER. But for people who are truly facing OLD AGE, they encounter complications of ill-health, becoming useless and unwanted, and possibly dying alone.
These are pretty heavy themes, and not the normal stuff of Children's Theater Musicals.
So how can this story be told with songs and staged in a way that is entertaining? Can it actually show many layers of meaning so that those with ears to hear and eyes to see can understand -- but younger children can still find humor and feel joy?
Hopefully, through this mini-musical, the plight of the animals can be seen for what it is --- a fable about facing the universal fears of CHANGE and GROWING OLD with doses of humor and fun songs to delight audiences of many ages.
From my more mature vantage point now, I think I am coming to understand it better. This story is about FEAR of CHANGE and facing GROWING OLD -- two topics that the young have no use for whatsoever. Young people are all about embracing CHANGE. And they are usually very EXCITED ABOUT GROWING OLDER. But for people who are truly facing OLD AGE, they encounter complications of ill-health, becoming useless and unwanted, and possibly dying alone.
These are pretty heavy themes, and not the normal stuff of Children's Theater Musicals.
So how can this story be told with songs and staged in a way that is entertaining? Can it actually show many layers of meaning so that those with ears to hear and eyes to see can understand -- but younger children can still find humor and feel joy?
Hopefully, through this mini-musical, the plight of the animals can be seen for what it is --- a fable about facing the universal fears of CHANGE and GROWING OLD with doses of humor and fun songs to delight audiences of many ages.
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