Keep It Light

It started when our first child was in college. Along with the normal things that make the transition a tricky one, she experienced a trauma that cast a shadow over the rest of her time there. Aside from the deeply personal work of confronting the grief and anger of the event, the aftermath carried a huge social impact, creating rifts in friendships and school cohorts. She was too far from home to pop in for a chat, so there were many late night phone calls and pep talks. At some point, we developed a shorthand for how to approach a tense meeting, a class where she couldn’t avoid a group of unfriendlies, a party, an audition. Quick calls and texts contained the reminder to “keep it light”. However they act, you keep it light.

I wish those three simple words had come to me when the kids were in high school. Honestly, it would have been helpful to all of us in dealing with middle school bullies and elementary school playground politics. Certainly I would have benefitted the most during the years when piano practice and messy rooms were our biggest battles. The “keep it light” motto goes a long way to quiet anxiety and redirect focus. Still, you can never be completely sure what lessons will stick from all the long talks or hurried phone calls or off hand comments.

And then last week, Justin and I attended our son’s last concert as the choral music student teacher at a local high school. We’re so lucky that his college is close to home. We have heard three and a half years of his concerts, as well as watching as he launches a teaching career. After conducting his final piece, he was invited to give farewell remarks. He thanked the school’s excellent choral director and accompanist, the students, and their parents. And he thanked us. He thanked us for pushing him to do his best and for reminding him to keep it light.

Holy One,

Teach us to speak with care so that our words can offer help and comfort.

Amen

Eli is a worship leader at Peace, where both of her kids were raised to speak up for others and to use the power of their voices to help and heal.