One of my favorite childhood memories is caroling as a family at Christmas time. Instead of staying home and playing games, watching a show, or wrapping presents, we would all cram into the car(s) with our instruments and music, along with canisters of caramel corn, fresh caramels, or other treats made by mom. The houses we visited were not all in the same neighborhood, so there was driving involved and the caroling took place on multiple nights. When we arrived at a house, we would pile out of the car, giggling while getting situated, and then the concert would begin. I remember that one year Mark's drum set was loaded into the car and carried out to each house. Hal sang loud and with a strong vibrato, David played his horn while Dad and Carolyn added the harmony and Rich hit the low bass notes. No matter what vowel or consonant Mom sang, she was always smiling, and we all had a grand time.
There was one lady we sang to who had a lot of barking dogs and the yard smelled funny, yet I am happy our parents took us there. The Christmas caroling served multiple purposes--we were enlarging our musical talents, we were serving and seeking to lift, and we were having fun as a family. I remember liking it then and feeling close as a family while singing. Thank you dad and mom for instigating it and carrying on the tradition year after year.
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