Singing for "Old People"

When Gavin heard that his class was going to sing at a rest home, he didn't want to go.  As he was informing me of his decision to boycott, I could tell that he was unsure of what "singing to the old people" entailed.

We discussed what a rest home or care center was and how someone might feel if they didn't live close to their family--especially during the holidays.  Since Gavin feels very protective of his Grandma Linda, the added "yeah, like Grandma when she doesn't get to see me", was not surprising.

I built upon the common ground. "You're right. Think about how Grandma loves to see you and all little kids.  She likes talking with them, and hearing how they are doing.  You know what?  Maybe there will be a second grader in Yuma who will go and sing to her.  That would be cool if you could sing to his Grandma who lives in Saint George and he could sing to her there!"

Gavin looked at me quizzically.   I could tell he was wrestling with his desire to make Grandma happy and his dislike of singing to people he doesn't know.  (Let's face it.  The kid mouths words during family home evening songs.)  Finally he relents. "Okay.  I will go sing next week to the old people."

Today was the day of the singing field trip.  As I picked him up from school I asked how it all went.
Gavin says "Well I couldn't breathe, but other than that it was good."

"Really?" I question.  "But you were still able to sing?"

"Yeah.  I just couldn't breathe because of all the sickness."

""Ooookay." I say scanning my brain for a possible connection between not breathing and singing to old people.  Did I say something like that?

Recounting the experience he says "We went inside the bank I said 'Hey!  How's it going?' to every old person I saw, just in case it was The kid's Grandma." He shrugs his shoulders. "Then when my teacher said there was a bunch of old people and to be careful not to grab them or knock them over, I knew that meant I should hold my breath too."

There was a pause while I considered an appropriate response. A bank--not a care center?  Grabbing people?

Gavin took advantage of the lull and tried to fill in the gaps for me.   "We wouldn't want Santa to get sick during the holidays. Right?"