Baby Mine & other lullabies

Usually my excuse for falling behind writing my journal, or keeping up with friends or returning calls is that life got busy and I spent all my time living with little opportunity for reflection. I have to be honest and confess that just wasn't the case this month. So much has happened in the last month and yet these new experiences have brought significant opportunities for self examination and appreciation of the countless blessings and tender mercies I have observed in my own life.

Bridget has had colic for the last few weeks, so our evenings have been plagued with hours of tears and heart-wrenching cries of a tiny inconsolable baba. Every night without fail my mum took Bridget and walked the floor for hours, singing to her, bouncing her and trying to soothe her little tummy. The last night my mum was staying with us before returning to the UK, Bridget was particularly upset and walking circles in the nursery I tried to settle her. My ipod playlist "songs to cry to" may seem a little disturbing to some, but I have long recognised the benefit of releasing bottled emotions and there are some songs that just "get me where I live" emotionally speaking. That night I put my ipod on as I walked the floor and listened to Baby Mine ~ which my mum used to sing to me when I was a little girl. As my mum and I walked the floor with my "baby mine" I realised how strong the bond between the generations had become in such a short space of time. Just one month has passed and yet how precious to me, sweet as can be - is that, baby of mine.

Baby mine, don't you cry.
Baby mine, dry your eyes.
Rest your head close to my heart,
never to part, baby of mine.

Little one, when you play,
pay no heed what they say.
Let your eyes sparkle and shine,
never a tear, baby of mine.

If they knew all about you,
they'd end up loving you, too.
All those same people who scold you,
what they'd give just for the right to hold you.

From your hair down to your toes,
you're not much, goodness knows.
But, you're so precious to me,
sweet as can be, baby of mine.

 Little Bridgety-Bee having a lovely bath with Grandma ^

                                                          
Maybe my mum's voice isn't the exact replica of Karen Carpenters' - but one thing I know, her version of Baby Mine and so many other lullabies can't sound sweeter to me by any other tongue. For just one night and one fabulous day four generations of first daughters basked in the radiant sun of our shared love, affection and devotion to all the really matters to us on this earthly plane... family.

And so, more than ever (as my mum used to sing) "I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world, heavenly Father created for me".