I Have A Boy Who Hums

Written when Frankie was four. Now he is nine and he is still humming away....

I have a boy who hums. He hums all kinds of things all day long. He hums in the car, walking down the street, in the bathtub, playing or eating. My boy hums.

He hums classical music! I have my husband to thank for that. He is the classical music enthusiast of the family. We didn’t play it for our son when he was in the womb, but soon after he was born. Mozart soothed his colic (for 30 seconds at least!) and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons became his naptime lullaby.

He hums Motown. We have me to thank for that. When we’re in the car and the oldies station is playing, I make sure I shout out, “This is Aretha Franklin,” or “These are the Temptations.” When Smokey Robinson sings “Tears of a Clown,” my son asks, “Is this a man or a lady? And what are they singing about?” Should another radio station be on with a woman singing he will ask, “Is this Shania?”(I have my husband to thank for that!)

I also have my husband to thank for the hilarious humming of Star Wars theme music. He is a Stars Wars fan from way back and has introduced our son to the videos. My boy hums the ominous Darth Vader music with a towel wrapped around his shoulders like a cape. He hums the uplifting victory music as he wields one of his light sabers. Whatever activity he may be involved in, he hums the score to it.

When I hear him humming, it makes me smile. His happy little heart is contagious. Then I think: All kids hum, don’t they? But I know the truth. I know there are stories, told and untold, of abuse and neglect. I know there are children who go to bed hungry. These children, young as they are, have not had many carefree days. It has never occurred to them that life is a song.

So, I have boy who hums. What does it mean? It has less to do with radios and videos, and more to do with his feeling content and unafraid. I have God to thank for that. For a marriage that is strong and healthy and makes him feel secure. For family and friends that let him know he is loved. For a house where the cupboard is never bare. It would be tempting to say that all this humming means that we have done something right. The truth is, it has less to do with us - and more to do with the grace extended to us.

I am grateful for all these gifts, but especially for the boy who hums.