As we spend time immersed in Montessori environments, as educators, administrators, teacher-educators, as parents and as children, we find the experienced steeped in cycles. The year and its children, families, and colleagues turn and return and turn again and for some the years unfurl to a decade and then decades. Our own children become adults, become parents of new children, and then, and now the wheel seems quite grander in scale of time and of magnitude.

Lyra is fussing. We’ve given Amarinda and Brendan the gift of a night out, absolutely leaping at the opportunity to care for this beautiful four month-old baby, born half that age early. The repertoire of practiced techniques is not cutting it tonight; the usual checklist of diaper, hungry, entertainment has been loudly ignored by an increasingly agitated and unhappy child. In the space afforded between decibels, I wonder if there is a genetic factor to quiet and comfort and soothe. If Rhythm of the Saints worked for Amee…. did she pass that on to Lyra like so many anti-bodies? Luckily there’s no fumbling through CD’s, we’re a mere “Hey Google” away from Paul Simon and then I’ve got Lyra cradled and the volume is up and those first beats of the dundun drum and the dance begins, and whether it’s surprise or curiosity, Lyra lets one last sob shudder and begins to just listen and feel. It’s probably untrue, but I think that it is perhaps 31 years since I last listened to this album, when I was 31 and Amee an infant child, but the years peel away as the lyrics start and they pour out of me nearly unbidden, but apparently not forgotten. (But among the reeds and rushes, A baby girl was found). Lyra is no match for the not-too-gentle rocking and dancing. Like her mother before her, by the time Obvious Child is in its last verse, she’s already droopy-eyed as Sonny takes down his high-school yearbook. (Her eyes as clear as centuries, Her silky hair was brown). When The Coast kicks in, she’s starting to breathe deeper and deeper, as sleepy as that harbor church of St. Cecelia. (Never been lonely, Never been lied to, Never had to scuffle in fear, Nothing denied to) And when we’ve reached Born at the Right Time? Well, you know Lyra’s been asleep for at least three tracks. (Born at the instant, The church bells chime.). But me? I’m still dancing (And the whole world whispering). I’m still singing (Born at the right time), I’m so gone, man, so in love with all of it.