I’m a big fan of the Beaufort County Traditional Music Association. You know, the group of musicians that plays regularly at the Union Alley Coffeehouse in the Inner Banks Artisans’ Center.
This group of musicians — the faces may change a bit from week to week, but there seems to be a core group who are almost always there — make really good music. Their Saturday morning “jams” are delightful. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Saturday they do their “thing.”
They do bluegrass, gospel, and some golden oldies from other genres, too. They do it all well, and you couldn’t not enjoy it if you tried.
One Saturday recently a young couple — the mother was really pretty — came in with their children and the children’s grandmother.
An 8-week-old baby was secured in one of those strap-on-the-front-of-you canvas carriers.
And there was Annabelle.
Three years old, full of energy, and absolutely beautiful. What, if anything, could be lovelier than such a precious child? What, indeed.
Whenever the musicians played an up-tempo song, Miss Annabelle would really move to the music. Her mother would dance alongside her, as would her grandmother (who was also very pretty, and young looking). The musicians were aware of the tyke’s dancing, and one guitar (or is it “git-tar?”) player even stood up and played and danced along with her.
What’s so special about all this you might ask? (Had you been there you wouldn’t even have to ask.)
A little child, a beautiful family, a marvelous group of musicians, all caught up in the magic of the moment. I can’t think of anything that could be much better.
I am really grateful that I was there the day that Annabelle danced.
APROPOS — “We find delight in the beauty and happiness of children that makes the heart too big for the body.”
—  Emerson