Nature’s Canvas

Imagine 750 children in silence signing Silent Night in unison.

In 1997, Garth Brooks performed live at Central Park on New Year's Eve, singing for an audience of nearly a million people. Watching him, I witnessed pure joy radiating from the stage. To look out over so many faces must have felt like gazing over a vast field covered in nature's finest blanket of wildflowers.

At that time, I taught music to young children in a public school. For our December singalong, with 750 children gathered in the cafeteria, I had taught every class the same songs. I had created hand motions to make the learning fun and memorable.

One of the most beautiful moments I experienced was during Silent Night when we performed it in sign language. Picture 750 children sitting on the floor, signing "heavenly peace" together in perfect silence. It was unexpectedly moving and still brings a smile to my face.

At moments like that, I related to the joy felt when Garth Brooks paused on stage, and the crowd continued singing without him. He paced the stage, a spring in his step, swept up in something larger than himself. At that moment, he had transcended the ordinary and brought the entire audience along.

Looking back, I realize these moments were an example of Nature's Canvas--a harmony of voices, hearts and souls coming together, just like a thick blanket of wildflowers across a field.