Wow what a day! I don’t suppose you were expecting another post this week and neither was I. Today has been such a significant day not only for Forget Me Notes but for me too.
Today Kenny and I delivered sessions at Prospect Bank, a school for children with additional needs, and what a special time it was for Kenny and me. We delivered three sessions, each one of them different yet each one of them enabled self-expression of those children present. Most of the school children from the school were going to see Cinderella at the Festival Theatre but we were going to the school to work with those children who couldn’t attend. We were also going to tell the story of Cinderella using different songs enabling each child to experience something of the story. The morning was so special because Forget Me Notes have never worked in such a setting before. It was also special because Kenny and I were working in an environment that we had never worked together before. The response of the children was amazing in so many ways, it was so touching and precious.
This afternoon we were at Saughton Park. It was a Christmas session as we won’t be back there before the New Year. The last few sessions have seen two young people with additional needs attend, along with frail, elderly people with a lived experience of dementia and people who simply enjoy singing together. I had a moment in the afternoon when I had to take a deep breath as I realised the inclusive community that we are building together. It came when I watched one of the young people signing to one of our Christmas songs.
The emotions that I have experienced in my own heart today are more than any one heart can contain and has meant this evening taking a time of reflection and response. Reflection as to what brought about the responses to the music and how we can learn in order that we maximise these opportunities in the future. All I know is that the phrase “Happy Christmas” was so powerfully met in what I experienced today.