Morning Lullabies

Isn't it great to hold a sleeping baby? Or better yet, to hold a baby, and sing that little one to sleep? There is that precious moment right before their eyes shut for a lingering rest where peace and connection are epitomized. OK, some of you may not know that feeling, so you will have to imagine.

Imagine that sweet moment when you put a spoonful of your favorite ice cream into your mouth. You feel the chill, then the flavor hits your taste buds, and wow, it is...delicious. Maybe you aren't a sweet treat freak like me. Maybe it's that perfect cut of meat, that is cooked just how you like it. You cut into and you knife just sinks in with no effort. Once in your mouth, it melts. You savor the flavor and want to absorb each bite. Well, singing a baby to sleep is even more amazing than your favorite bite of food melting in your mouth.

Today, I was able to sing to an infant as I rocked him to sleep. I have to admit, it turned my attitude around. I couldn't maintain the bitterness that was eating at my heart. The sadness, hurt, and pain that I was carrying about my sister, and my friend, dissipated as I looked into his eyes. I was breathing in his sweet scent of innocence and purity. How could I carry the heaviness of the burdens this world forces upon me? I simply couldn't. I had to smile and drink in the moment. So glad I was given the opportunity to experience the moment. The challenge is to remember the innocence in each person with whom I interact. Once, we were all infants, with the same potential as the little babe I held today.

So glad I have songs to sing. I remember singing to my own children, and love that they now sing along with me. I sing with my preschoolers and I love when they absorb the joy of music and share it with their parents long after they have been with me. In addition to enjoying to sing, I appreciate those who share their heart through song. Whether it's my husband who is offering a recital (which unfortunately has been canceled due to illness...or climate adjustment deficits), a student performing a role exceptionally, or a choir synchronizing their voices and mind to share meaning through sounds which will touch a heart; sharing the common language of music through song is a gift.

One of my favorite songs is Ingrid Michaelson's Morning Lullabies from the album, Boys and Girls. I sing it in my head a lot, and I listen to it when I want to remember...

The sun had painted
Patterns on your face
As you breathed Sunday air
You rolled onto
My open arm
I became your pillow; you let me smooth your hair

I will sing you morning lullabies
You are beautiful and peaceful this way
I know you have to close your eyes on everyone
Let me help you, I'll sing you to sleep
With morning lullabies

We all have to close our eyes. Sometimes we have to close our eyes to stay alive in this world instead of drifting off to other places, times, and lives. I am thankful to those of you who sing me to sleep. And, I am thankful to those of you who let me sing you to sleep.