No matter how early we get up in the morning on a school day (and why do kids always get up earlier on weekends and vacation days anyway?), we always seem to find ourselves rushing around to get out the door on time to catch the bus.  Particularly now that three kids need to find and put on hats, scarves, mittens and boots, getting out the door has become a daily challenge.

One such morning, we finally had everyone buckled into cars seats, and we were headed on our way to our first stop a few blocks away.  Two out of three kids were crying, and the other was silently stewing about the perceived injustices of life in our family.

Desperate to send off my kids on a happier note, I popped in a favorite CD.  Instantly, the atmosphere of our van changed as all three kids broke into song.  Before it was time to drop off my daughter at our first stop, we were smiling, laughing and joking together.

The power of music had worked to give my kids (and, as a result, me) a brighter, happier send-off for the day.

photo by Mourner