Getting to Know You
I have had so much fun getting to meet everyone ‘officially’ this past couple weeks! Going to different sites, and welcoming friends coming in to Harmony Garden, I have been working hard to remember names, likes and dislikes, musical preferences and of course the lovely faces of all the clients and their families and workers. So much of this getting-to-know-you business has been done through the language of music.
The language of music makes me think about musicals, where so much of the story line is conveyed through song. I love musicals! It almost feels as if I’ve been in a musical, whirling around from one appointment to another in tap shoes singing, “Hello and welcome to music,” and doing a little dance routine with each individual. Then too quickly, “It’s time to go, thank you for the music,” as I twirl away just to enter another room and stand toe to toe with a new dance partner. Each number has different steps and different lines but it all fits together to tell one amazing story. The story is one of love, safety, and bravery found within music and a caring network of compassionate people.
Loving musicals as I do, it’s hard to pick one that is my favorite. I really like certain newer ones such as Hamilton, The Greatest Showman, and Into the Woods. But I have warm nostalgia for some of the older musicals like My Fair Lady, Camelot, Sound of Music, Oklahoma!, and many more. Though many of them have themes that are no longer relevant or appropriate, the tunes will always stay with me and come out at the most interesting times. My children find this very amusing and tease me about it, but it’s just part of who I am at this point. I will never apologize for singing about “The rain in Spain” when it’s pouring or spelling out a whole state’s name when I say Okay.
Driving to and from appointments, and hustling between rooms in the office, a song from The King and I keeps floating in my head.
“Getting to know you, getting to know all about you…
Getting to like you, getting to hope you like me.
Getting to know you, putting it my way, but nicely
You are precisely – my cup of tea!
Getting to know you
Getting to feel free and easy
When I am with you
Getting to know what to say
Haven’t you noticed
Suddenly I’m bright and breezy?
Because of all the beautiful and new
Things I’m learning about you – day by day”
I am really enjoying spending time with everyone here and sharing amazing, deep, and sometimes silly music. I don’t always know what to say or do, but I’m working on that as we dance together. Here’s to the bright and breezy days ahead!
