Singing is a gift

"Didi, you sing. Please Didi, sing again".

This week at Ashray (the orphanage we're volunteering at) I taught a simple song and hand clapping game. The song and game was a big hit.

Unbelievably heart-warming but just as much heart-wrenching was what transpired throughout the rest of the evening. One student in particular latched onto me and asked what I thought was to teach her the song again. After some lost-in-translation moments, I realized she just wanted me to sing for her. She sat there working on her assignment while I sang. Many of the children throughout the evening did the same. They wanted to hear the song they just learned as well as anything new I'd sing for them. Often they'd stop their work just to listen and watch me as I sang. In the second lesson group, an 11-12 year old or so boy held my hand as he wrote his assignment with the other.

I have never really considered myself a "singer" in the soloist or professional sense. I admit I can sing in tune and blend well with the best of them in a Lutheran choir, but, my sister and brother have always had the amazing voices, you know, ones that you would want to listen to on stage or have solo at your wedding.

But these kids were so transfixed by my singing to them. It finally dawned on me that they haven't had someone singing "You Are My Sunshine" to them every night (like I did as a child). I wanted to stay that night and tuck them each into bed, hold their hand and sing them all to sleep.

As we began to pack up, those feelings of overwhelmingness began inside me about how massive the greater issue at hand is and how could I possibly make any difference. The students in their excitement at the end of the lesson begin playing the game on their own again or running around to all of us teachers giving high fives, shaking hands, and saying thank you. I sighed... I have at least one small gift to give.

Last week the students were calling us "teacher". This week, I became "Didi"-- the affectionate term for older sister.

"Bye Didi. Sing voice good. Next time? Thank you Didi! Thank you!"

Love,
Rachel