Legacy of the Lullaby

I love being a mom. I love watching my girls grow into beautiful and godly women. I love our traditions: the “School Days” song and eggs-in-a-frame on the first day of school, “Christmas Gift” greetings on December 25, loud music on Sunday mornings to wake us all up…but one soothing ritual I have always cherished—and now miss dearly—is singing songs to my babies as they drift off to sleep.

Recently I sang to Becca and Emily as they nodded off before Becca flew halfway around the world to Taybeh. It was a parting gift of sorts as well as a desperate attempt to hold her fast. It brought back so many memories….

One of the most powerful moments I have experienced as a mother was on one of our vacations to Myrtle Beach. It was several years ago, but apparently long enough ago that I wanted you all to go to bed at the same time. I was still regularly singing Emily to sleep so it was probably about ten or twelve years ago. We were staying at the Long Bay Resort and you girls were all sleeping in one room in two double beds. I’m sure we used the excuse that “Santa” needed to come and everyone needed to go to sleep—but however we managed it—you were all in your pjs and snuggled in bed. I sat on the edge and rubbed baby Emily’s back while I sang Christmas carols to you all for a very long time. I’m sure you were not aware of it, but I had tears dripping off my chin as I sang. I love you all so much and to be in the same room with you all as you floated smoothly into slumber, quietly breathing in the warmth of the night made my heart so full.

I’m sure that “Raindrops on Roses” made an appearance along with “Silent Night” (a song that at one time scared Cynthia), “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” “The Christmas Song” and a myriad of other carols. It was one of my favorites—an image-laden song. When I sang “Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes” I could just see Cynthia and Katherine in the little white lace dresses MamMam and Grandpapa had bought for you—with blue and pink interchangeable satin belts.

My favorite line to sing was “Cream-colored ponies and crisp apple strudel.” The lyrical timbre of the words alone is worth repeating, but add the pretty pastoral picture and a delicious dessert and what’s not to like?

I suppose I will still have a few rare opportunities to sing one or the other of you to sleep. I will bide my time, take advantage of every occasion and then hide the treasure in my heart.