 |
| Christian standing in our hotel room in Salzburg |
 |
| Christian with a coveted Mozart chocolate |
 |
| Christian playing chess at a restaurant in Salzburg |
Monday, December 30, 2013
Pictures of MY "Beethoven," Boy visiting Salzburg, Austria at age 11
My Beethoven Boy visiting Salzburg and Vienna, Austria at age 11- his dreams had come true! As a parent, it is always a wish to be able to fulfill a dream for your child. Perhaps, running around Salzburg screaming "I love it here, it feels like home," and seeing your boy break the rule and reverently caress Mozart's piano behind the ropes is not what you would expect your child to want more than anything. But recognizing that for Christian, this experience would touch his heart and soul forever made this dream a joy to fulfill!
Finding Christmas- W. Brett Wilson
In my last post, I certainly didn't mean to give the impression that Christian doesn't enjoy Christmas (or myself, for that matter) but certainly finding more meaning in the season remains more challenging in our materialistic society. Attending Christmas Eve service, singing Silent Night by candlelight, celebrating our faith in God- that certainly draws our family close at Christmas and reminds us of our many blessings.
Christian and his sister Malia often share their musical talents in two very different yet meaningful events during the Christmas season. One event is hosted by well known philanthropist, W. Brett Wilson (also former and BEST DRAGON on CBC's Dragon's Den) who invites both international and local artists together in a special fundraiser concert to raise awareness and money for the Veteran's Food Bank. This charity does far more than provide just food, it helps pay mortgage payments, doctor's bills, medication and other essential help to our veterans who put their life on the line for ours.
Christian was only eight years old the very first time he was invited by Brett to play a few pieces in the concert and Christian has been fortunate to share his music in this memorable fundraiser every year since. Four years ago, Brett's vision grew to include a Christmas dinner for not only guests personally invited by him but opened the doors to welcome several moms and their children who need to spend their Christmas in safe houses because of domestic violence. Brett spares no expense to hire additional security to ensure that for at least this one incredible night, these precious families can enjoy the food and music without worrying about their safety. Artists such as the Canadian Tenors (now called "The Tenors", Oscar Lopez,James Keelaghan Beverly Mahood, Brett Kissel, The Stellas, Don Amero, Sophie Serafino and many others have been involved in making Brett's annual Christmas event one to always remember!
It without doubt is one of my families most cherished evenings of not only the Christmas season but of the entire year!
As a mom, you always pray that there will be individuals that will help will play a role in your child's life, recognizing and nurturing their gifts and being another voice besides yours that they will learn from. Brett has been not only a role model and patron of Christian's talent but is someone that has shown Christian how being generous to others is a privilege and to always continue to pay it forward.
Malia, Christian's little and most talented sister was only five when Brett came into Christian's life but he made a point of always making her feel special when the spotlight was focused on Christian. Brett would pick her up and twirl her around, carry her up on stage and make her feel welcome at all of his events. As Malia's talents in music and dance continued to become more apparent, she was also now one of Brett's featured performers at age only eight. Malia learned 12 Christmas duets this past month to showcase with her brother during the Christmas dinner for Brett's guests and she put everything inside her heart into those carols.
As a mom, you can't choose the people that will influence your child's lives so I know that it is a true blessing that Brett just happens to be one of Christian and Malia's most special friends!
Christian and his sister Malia often share their musical talents in two very different yet meaningful events during the Christmas season. One event is hosted by well known philanthropist, W. Brett Wilson (also former and BEST DRAGON on CBC's Dragon's Den) who invites both international and local artists together in a special fundraiser concert to raise awareness and money for the Veteran's Food Bank. This charity does far more than provide just food, it helps pay mortgage payments, doctor's bills, medication and other essential help to our veterans who put their life on the line for ours.
Christian was only eight years old the very first time he was invited by Brett to play a few pieces in the concert and Christian has been fortunate to share his music in this memorable fundraiser every year since. Four years ago, Brett's vision grew to include a Christmas dinner for not only guests personally invited by him but opened the doors to welcome several moms and their children who need to spend their Christmas in safe houses because of domestic violence. Brett spares no expense to hire additional security to ensure that for at least this one incredible night, these precious families can enjoy the food and music without worrying about their safety. Artists such as the Canadian Tenors (now called "The Tenors", Oscar Lopez,James Keelaghan Beverly Mahood, Brett Kissel, The Stellas, Don Amero, Sophie Serafino and many others have been involved in making Brett's annual Christmas event one to always remember!
It without doubt is one of my families most cherished evenings of not only the Christmas season but of the entire year!
As a mom, you always pray that there will be individuals that will help will play a role in your child's life, recognizing and nurturing their gifts and being another voice besides yours that they will learn from. Brett has been not only a role model and patron of Christian's talent but is someone that has shown Christian how being generous to others is a privilege and to always continue to pay it forward.
Malia, Christian's little and most talented sister was only five when Brett came into Christian's life but he made a point of always making her feel special when the spotlight was focused on Christian. Brett would pick her up and twirl her around, carry her up on stage and make her feel welcome at all of his events. As Malia's talents in music and dance continued to become more apparent, she was also now one of Brett's featured performers at age only eight. Malia learned 12 Christmas duets this past month to showcase with her brother during the Christmas dinner for Brett's guests and she put everything inside her heart into those carols.
As a mom, you can't choose the people that will influence your child's lives so I know that it is a true blessing that Brett just happens to be one of Christian and Malia's most special friends!
Monday, December 23, 2013
Bah Humbug
Perhaps, it shouldn't surprise me that my Beethoven Boy at the tender age of 10 spent eight glorious weeks on stage in a professional theatre production of "A Christmas Carol." On opening night, Christian astounded me with his confidence in his scenes with Scrooge and he seemed right at home with his new English accent bringing the characters of Turkey Boy, Want and six other minor roles to life. In one of the final scenes, Christian was left sitting alone on center stage with an enormous turkey on his lap with snowflakes gently falling thanks to the magic of special effects. I held my breath in wonder as Christian was transformed in that moment to Dicken's time when Scrooge discovered the "true meaning of Christmas."
It was Christian's first and only stage credit to date and I will forever count watching my son in that spectacular production as one of my favourite Christmas memories. Certainly, it was a big commitment for my husband and I as well as we needed to drive to the theatre, despite ferocious snow storms and such, and make sure Christian was present at every rehearsal and performance. IT is the same commitment that everyone involved in this professional stage presentation makes to each other and they brought down the house every time with their electric performances on stage.
At age thirteen, the Christmas season is not all jolly and bright for Christian, he can be rather jaded at at times and truthfully quite"Scrooge like!" It is easy to see it through his eyes as even people profess a desire for a simpler Christmas, there is still far too much stress attached to this holiday. Even Christian's dear great-grandmother at age 90 still feels the need to apologize for not being physically able to get out and do any Christmas shopping. And because of my back disability, I too cannot shop and seeing crowds of people pushing their way around yet another store makes me want to back into a corner and disappear. It seems that the only question that people ask in the month of December is "Are you ready for Christmas," or "Do you have your shopping all done yet?"
Every Christmas, my desire for a simpler Christmas feels more pressing, more necessary for my soul.
Of course, I love seeing the stocking hung, I adore listening to Christmas carols especially ones played by my children and seeing tasteful Christmas lights make me sigh with contentment. Christian shares my desire for less gifts, more meaningful moments and quiet peace. He feels overwhelmed if there is too much stuff under the tree and I love that at his age, he seems to understand what is important.
Truthfully, the only member of my family who firmly believes that "RECEIVING and not giving" is truly better is our two year old collie dog, Maestro who adores presents. In fact, Maestro is so greedy that he feels every present must be for him and when he is given one, he prances around the house with such enormous glee, so incredibly happy that yet another stuffie for him to squeak has been added to his collection. And so it is watching Maestro receive his gifts with such tremendous joy, that I find myself simply giddy with joy, just like Scrooge on that fine Christmas morning. It is the best present ever!
It was Christian's first and only stage credit to date and I will forever count watching my son in that spectacular production as one of my favourite Christmas memories. Certainly, it was a big commitment for my husband and I as well as we needed to drive to the theatre, despite ferocious snow storms and such, and make sure Christian was present at every rehearsal and performance. IT is the same commitment that everyone involved in this professional stage presentation makes to each other and they brought down the house every time with their electric performances on stage.
At age thirteen, the Christmas season is not all jolly and bright for Christian, he can be rather jaded at at times and truthfully quite"Scrooge like!" It is easy to see it through his eyes as even people profess a desire for a simpler Christmas, there is still far too much stress attached to this holiday. Even Christian's dear great-grandmother at age 90 still feels the need to apologize for not being physically able to get out and do any Christmas shopping. And because of my back disability, I too cannot shop and seeing crowds of people pushing their way around yet another store makes me want to back into a corner and disappear. It seems that the only question that people ask in the month of December is "Are you ready for Christmas," or "Do you have your shopping all done yet?"
Every Christmas, my desire for a simpler Christmas feels more pressing, more necessary for my soul.
Of course, I love seeing the stocking hung, I adore listening to Christmas carols especially ones played by my children and seeing tasteful Christmas lights make me sigh with contentment. Christian shares my desire for less gifts, more meaningful moments and quiet peace. He feels overwhelmed if there is too much stuff under the tree and I love that at his age, he seems to understand what is important.
Truthfully, the only member of my family who firmly believes that "RECEIVING and not giving" is truly better is our two year old collie dog, Maestro who adores presents. In fact, Maestro is so greedy that he feels every present must be for him and when he is given one, he prances around the house with such enormous glee, so incredibly happy that yet another stuffie for him to squeak has been added to his collection. And so it is watching Maestro receive his gifts with such tremendous joy, that I find myself simply giddy with joy, just like Scrooge on that fine Christmas morning. It is the best present ever!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)