elle kynzer

Mothers Set The Tone In The Home, And Music Develops Culture, and Influences Memories!



Posted: Monday, December 19, 2011

by elle kynzer

As I was thinking about home, and how we celebrated holidays, as well as 'why I think the way I do", it was clear that in traditional homes the woman sets the tone. The music played or sang at home, in church, or on the radio, former albums for phonographs, or CDs now are the developers of a child's cultural influence. Of course, a man can be the one doing this in the absence of the mother, through divorce, death, or long working hours.  The person who controlled this influence in my home was my mother in the latter years....teens.

The move away from my rural upbringing was to town, and to the North. My memories of Christmas's spent there as a teen are musical.  The songs of the times, such as Silver Bells, Rockin Around the Christmas Tree, and Jingle Bell Rock, as those played on the radio stations I listened to when alone or in my car.  Then there were the albums my mother played on the phonograph at home, which were classical like Little Drummer Boy, The Nutcracker, and others.  We went to a lot of Ice Capades, which also used themed music, and the events had the show element.

Extra curricular activities are important in high school, with music, drama, art and sports.  These activities help young people identify with their culture, nation and other schools.  That sense of identity is built from all of the different types of things available.  There are studies that show intelligence and professional abilities are more evident in those exposed to lots of artistic expressions and interests.  For example: Music and Math are tied together.

 I know that music has always been a part of my life, and it has changed with the times; through church hymns, the pop culture of my teens, the classical influence from my mother's interests, and the later contemporary christian influence of my newer commitments to a different type of worship.  We can look at those who refuse music, and artistic expressions as unnecessary, and their depression is more than those who enjoy music, art, and other expressions.

Musical memories are a better gauge of my life, because a song comes on the radio or television, and it takes me back to a particular time.  The lyrics are imbedded in my mind, and the music will trigger the words rising up in me.  We can take sounds, smells, and melodies to a different time, and the vividness of the memory is very detailed.  Without those ques to our past, it is sometimes hard to recollect with great clarity those places, holidays, or family events.

There is a difference between music, art, or reading audibly to children, and the over stimulation of television or loud confusing music, that keeps them from peace, or sleeping quietly.  There is a right time for proper musical cultural influences, the young mind will allow music to create a loyalty to their heritage like nothing else can.  The tone of the home will be long lasting, and the memories will be triggered by the parents music, the cultural songs of an era, or the influence of those who visit.  

All of our choices will have an impact on our children, and what they remember during future holidays, and how they react to songs they hear on television or radios, after they grow up.  Our spirits take in the content around us, and we file aways what pleases our heart, but occasionally we have the baggage of those unhappy and unpleasant times we can't erase.  Children do try to eliminate the bad memories and grasp for the better ones.

During the holidays we should set a tone in the home of joy, peace, and wonderful music for future memories. Thoughts of "Peace on earth and good will toward men" come to me, as I listen to the old fashioned Christmas songs like Silent Night, Holy Night or Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.  Occasionally, I will catch myself singing carols during the day, or searching for them on the radio during the holidays.  Then I remember certain music played at home, and smile.  The ugly memories fade away, if we can focus on the music played, and leave those good memories for our children to keep during the holidays.
Elle Kynzer was born in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, and grew up in a rural area, as an only child. She is married with one son, and two grandsons.

She was a Personnel Assistant in her early twenties, and began hiring employees for the company. By her early thirties she had returned to NC, and became an Executive Officer in Real Estate. She also served as part-time USNR for more than ten years.

Elle went back to college at WCU, then went on to teach Criminal Justice for a local Community College, in the local High Schools/college credit.

Elle Kynzer, Author:

E Books:

Non Fiction: EXONERATED-Nancy Hanks Lincoln/mother to Pres Abraham Lincoln; Fiction Mystery: BLOODY CLOTHES ON THE INTERSTATE;UNDER MURKY WATERS.

Poetry: A WINDING RIVER; Paranormal: TRAMPLING ON JUSTICE; Christian: REFLECTIONS OF GRACE See Amazon.com; or visit my blog for descriptions.

Her blog http://ellekynzer.blogspot.com/

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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by The Old Gray Mare
 110 days 23 hours ago.
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There is much fact in what you write. For instance, nary a person who lives and who still has his or her keen memory will dispute that many of lives' happenings revolve around and with music. Memories are so frequently associated with a piece of music that is loved, or even in some cases very much disliked.

Funny thing is that already the younger kids are thinking of their "past" in this way. Oh I love this song. I remember when ...
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