Jesus Piano Lessons

Years ago at midnight mass, I was struck by the realization that Jesus never had piano lessons. I had small children and I was trying to give them everything: soccer, swimming lessons, educational enrichment, exposure to gay role models, time with their father, spiritual training, musical training, sledding, the park, science experiments, gardening, birthday parties, St. Patrick's day, Cinco de Mayo. It was a bit overwhelming. It was too much. I could not provide them with every possible enriching experience. I felt inadequate. But it was OK. I looked at the nativity scene and realized that Jesus was an OK guy; he turned out to have good ideas and be a mover and shaker in the world. And he probably never had piano lessons. Really I knew that moment that my kids could be OK if I did not provide them every possible thing. In that moment, Jesus helped me forgive myself, helped me accept myself for the parent I could be and what I could provide. Every year at midnight mass I remember this lesson.