Tuesday, May 16, 2023

KidLinks Extended An Offer, and I Said "Yes!"


Ever had a day when you felt like singing at the top of your lungs . . . "Zipidee do-dah, Zipidee day, my oh my oh what a wonderful day!"

Yesterday, Monday, May 15th, was one of those strange yet wonderful days of multiple affirmations coming my way. It was one of those rare "really good days" that you remember with fondness for a while. In the course of the day, I received not one but three major affirmations.  To tell the truth, my head was starting to swell just a little bit.

One affirmation I can share about involves a phone call I received from my good friend and ministry/music colleague, Rev. Jim Newton of Kidlinks.org.  Jim is a long-time friend, but he is more than that. As I have shared before, Jim is one of my musical heroes!  

Jim and I have been in multiple conversations, since late 2022, exploring the possibility of my joining KidLinks as a part-time Therapeutic Music Entertainer once I retired from full-time pastoral ministry.  The conversations centered around my singing to children in hospitals and other venues in the Tarrant County area.

Jim's call yesterday evening was to share with me that I am now part of the KidLinks TME team!  Yep, it's official!  It's taken awhile, but we got the green light.  I've dreamed, hoped and prayed for this opportunity for several years.  To be asked to join this team is especially affirming.  

I will also get the chance to help KidLinks develop a therapeutic music program for Special Education students in local schools.  This is one of my pet dream projects that I've wanted to work on, and will hopefully now get that chance, possibly working with my youngest daughter, Meredith, who is Special Education teacher in a nearby school district. 

I am excited!  I've waited over 10 years to be able to rejoin the KidLinks team (formerly Hugworks).  Now it's time to relearn old songs, and memorize new songs, and go through a retraining time.  I should be back singing in hospitals some time this coming July!

Good things do come to those who wait!

Zipidee do-dah . .

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