Tonight we went to the Tuscaloosa Veteran's Medical Center to honor the men and women who have served our country in wars and violent conflicts. There is something so special and wonderful about being able to bring so much light and joy into other people's lives with something as small as a few carols, piano tunes, and a poem.
Eleven children and nine adults made for a perfect caroling ensemble. Elizabeth Renicks played the piano to accompany us, and the kids shook candy-cane bells crafted by Max.
The Arsenault munchkins perform Edelweiss.
Though many of the men could not speak, their eyes twinkled and they clapped or tried to sing along. After we finished and climbed back into our minivan, Max said, softly, "Mom, that made me feel really good inside." Ain't life grand?
Here's a song we belted out- adapted for Tuscaloosa.
THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN TUSCALOOSA
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me A hearty green magnolia tree.
On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me Two tanks of gas, And a hearty green magnolia tree.
On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me Three Dreamland ribs, Two tanks of gas, And a hearty green magnolia tree.
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me Four muffins from Mary’s,Three Dreamland ribs, Two tanks of gas, And a hearty green magnolia tree.
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me Five home game TICK- ETS! Four muffins from Mary’s, Three Dreamland ribs, Two tanks of gas, And a hearty green magnolia tree.
On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me Six Mercedes M-class, Five home game TICK- ETS! Four muffins from Mary’s, Three Dreamland ribs, Two tanks of gas, And a hearty green magnolia tree.
On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me Seven mounds from Moundville, Six Mercedes M-class, Five home game TICK- ETS! Four muffins from Mary’s, Three Dreamland ribs, Two tanks of gas, And a hearty green magnolia tree.
On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me Eight venison steaks, Seven mounds from Moundville, Six Mercedes M-class, Five home game TICK- ETS! Four muffins from Mary’s, Three Dreamland ribs, Two tanks of gas, And a hearty green magnolia tree.
On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me Nine scuppernongs, Eight venison steaks, Seven mounds from Moundville, Six Mercedes M-class, Five home game TICK- ETS! Four muffins from Mary’s, Three Dreamland ribs, Two tanks of gas, And a hearty green magnolia tree.
On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me Ten itchy chiggers, Nine scuppernongs, Eight venison steaks, Seven mounds from Moundville, Six Mercedes M-class, Five home game TICK- ETS! Four muffins from Mary’s, Three Dreamland ribs, Two tanks of gas, And a hearty green magnolia tree.
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me Eleven yodeling yippers, Ten itchy chiggers, Nine scuppernongs, Eight venison steaks, Seven mounds from Moundville, Six Mercedes M-class, Five home game TICK- ETS! Four muffins from Mary’s, Three Dreamland ribs, Two tanks of gas, And a hearty green magnolia tree.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me Twelve Heisman trophies. Eleven yodeling yippers, Ten itchy chiggers, Nine scuppernongs, Eight venison steaks, Seven mounds from Moundville, Six Mercedes M-class, Five home game TICK- ETS! Four muffins from Mary’s, Three Dreamland ribs, Two tanks of gas, And a hearty green magnolia tree.
