Giancarlo has been blessed with a musical ear since a very early age. I always noticed his appreciation for classical music and how it soothed him and made him happy. He loved his lullabies and learned to complete motivational songs that inspired me—songs I sang to him while jogging when he was a little younger than a year old.
Although Manuel and I have no music degrees, we both share a passion for songs. Manuel did get some musical training during his college years by singing in a choir. In our first years of marriage, Manuel learned some mariachi and other Spanish songs to bring back memories of Mexico when I was nostalgic or homesick.
Manuel’s love for music can be heard in his voice. I used to cry listening to his unique interpretations of an opera, a classic choir song, or a passionate mariachi song. I really think Manuel missed following his call as a musician, but I still like the idea that he did not give it all up.
For the past 15 years, besides being a loving and caring chiropractor and a mentor to Giancarlo, Manuel has also been a piano player and a singer. He always has a song or two to play when he comes home from a busy office day, and I love that! Manuel's beautiful voice and his ability to play the keyboard have been gifts that Giancarlo has embraced since he was in my belly.
When I was pregnant with GC, I used to go to Manuel’s weekly rehearsals with a choir he joined at that time. I remember GC kicking and almost dancing in my womb; I knew he was happy to hear the music. For me, the choir members' interpretations always touched deep into my heart.
GC and I bonded over many special lullaby songs, and as GC was growing, we went from Jose Luis Orozco and Raffi to popular songs by Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, John Legend, The Beatles, etc.
Although I never had music training as a child, I am passionate about songs. The lyrics speak to my soul, and I believe in the power of music. I just cannot imagine a world without music!
I am aware that I was not born with the amazing musical talent of Celine Dion, Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, or Shakira, but no one could take from me the love for singing. During my college years, I took every opportunity I had to do karaoke, and believe me, it takes strength to sing when you know you are out of tune, not reaching the notes, or insecure about not having had formal singing training. Regardless, I sang my heart out during karaoke nights in Ensenada, and lately, I have been thinking about how much I miss singing like I used to do in Mexico.
I feel that if you do not take your rhythms and your music with you to the places you migrate, your soul slowly starts dying. Especially if you live in neighborhoods or cities where no one seems to listen to the radio anymore. It is hard to believe, but in my neighborhood, I have never heard a radio or anyone singing other than Manuel or me, and there are more than 400 people here!
In a busy country like the USA, music can be lost if you don’t keep singing. It feels as if singing is seen as a distraction from working or makes people too joyful, so it seems to be forbidden from daily activities. Lately, teens seem immersed in computers and cell phones. I do not see many teens singing like I used to do in Mexico—out loud, in the car, at all times, etc. That really worries me! A world without music is a world without emotions, feelings, and joy.
It almost seems that we are the odd, weird family that dares to turn on the radio on any given day of the week and sing out loud. If we turn it off, a silence that feels cold like death descends upon the neighborhood. That is really crazy considering that we are alive!
I just cannot comprehend why neighbors do not sing their lungs out. I do not think there is such a thing as “not all of us are into music.” No, if music is the food of our souls, we all should be feeding our souls by singing. We all have a heart song, right?
We love gathering around the keyboard to sing with Manuel, from classical Disney songs to our traditional Christmas songs. Our love affair with music will continue with Giancarlo learning to play instruments, and we will encourage him to keep singing. We hope that all kids in school are given more opportunities for music classes.
Besides the language development and other benefits associated with music, it has been my experience as a music lover that music can help us become more sensitive, develop empathy for the world of cultures out there, and guide us on a path to peace.
In educating our children, we must not take from them their innate love for composing music, for performing, or for feeling in touch with lyrics that promote change, justice, love, and peace.
Music really communicates that which cannot be put in words and all that cannot remain silent. It is truly the food of our souls, and if we do not feed it, what kind of soul will we have?
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