A Song in Tribute

Day 20

One of the reasons I started this blog was so that I could write down and remember those moments with my kids that I NEVER want to forget. I had one of those yesterday.

Okay, quick funny story......

After I had gotten off the phone with my friend who shared her very crappy news ( see yesterday's post) my girls, who had been listening with one ear as they played, had a lot of questions. They knew it was serious and they knew it was sad. They wanted to know what was going on.

I don't blame them. I can remember feeling the same way when my mother was on the phone. Trying to figure out who it was on the other line and what the hell was going on.

Anyway, I began trying to explain the best I could a subject matter that is hard for me to understand myself. Eliza and I have talked about this before. She "got it" and had her moment with it and then moved on. Annie on the other hand was very concerned. So, while I was folding laundry and putting Lulu's clothes away, Annie and I talked.

She has really grown up in the last 6 months or so. All this new awareness....I could see her trying to take it all in. It is a lot to take in.

She would ask a question.....I would answer the best I could.....She would look at the floor thinking about it.... then ask another question.

My answers had a lot to do with God. How else do I begin to explain this situation? So I talked about God knowing what is best for my friend. God taking care of all of us all the time. God having it all worked out so we don't have to worry.

She listened to every answer and really thought about each one.

Then it got really quiet. She was thinking....hard. I decided to let her think. Not to interrupt but let her have her moment.

All of a sudden the silence was broken.....Annie began to sing. She was staring at the floor, as serious as ever, almost prayer like, and she was singing her heart out.

Here's the kicker.......this is what I hear......"God Bless America, Land that I love.............." The whole damn thing...she sang the whole song!

It was like she was singing it for my friend. It was a tribute.

First of all, I had no idea she knew all the words. Second of all, Oh My God!!!

I had my head in the closet. My shoulders were shaking from laughter. I was so nervous I would embarrass or offend her by finding it funny. She was totally in a zone.

I finally got myself together and turned around. As soon as her eyes met mine, I smiled and it was like she woke up. She looked at me like, "What the hell am I doing?" and she started to giggle.

 So did I. We called Eliza in and she thought it was pretty hysterical too. That is something I really love about my kids. Their sense of humor and the ability to take it lightly when appropriate.

We laughed for a long time and we laughed really hard.

I never want to forget any of it. The concern, the deep thought, or the song of tribute.

Most of all.....I want to hold on to all the giggles.