Lullaby

Gwen, at 7, still loves her lullabies at night softly sung as I tuck her into bed. I love the time with her singing these. I know it will not last forever, so I savor each night that I can while it lasts.

Here are two of our favorites that I love to sing to her. I always sing it once, then hum the tune. It is our little routine we have done for years now. The lullabies have varied, but these two I both sing and hum to her. When she was a baby, "Lullaby" was her favorite that played on her little ocean aquarium player hanging on her crib, and when I sang to her when she was fussy, rocking her under the bathroom fan which soothed her. The tune is by Brahm's and most people don't know the words other than the first line, and I used to just make them up with her name in the tune. I looked it up online and picked a version I liked, but recently found a translation which is longer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahms's_Lullaby). I only sing the first part (modified from the classic). It doesn't really matter, it does the trick. The other is an Irish lullaby that I've known since I was young. It is dear to my heart since I have Irish blood in me. I only sing the chorus it seems, and didn't know how to spell it correctly (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Too_Ra_Loo_Ra_Loo_Ral).  But it is as I remember it. That is in the true spirit of it.

Lullaby
Lullaby and good night,
With soft roses around you;
Slumber sweetly in the moonlight,
Close your eyes now and dream.

Lay thee down now and rest,
May your slumber be blessed;
Lay thee down now and rest,
May your slumber be blessed.

Too Ra, Loo Ra, Loo Ral
Too Ra, Loo Ra, Loo Ral,
Too Ra, Loo Ra, Li;
Too Ra, Loo Ra, Loo Ral,
Hush now don't you cry;

Too Ra, Loo Ra, Loo Ral,
Too Ra, Loo Ra, Li;
Too Ra, Loo Ra, Loo Ral,
That's an Irish lullaby.

Sweet dreams little Gwennie,
Love Mommy

Handfuls of Love

Cold hands,
Warm heart;
Clean hands,
Fresh start.

Hands to hold
The ones so dear;
Lives to mold,
Each passing year.

A warm embrace,
A gentle kiss;
These precious moments
Are pure bliss.

Walk with me
And hold on tight;
Cling to me
With all your might.

My hand in yours
Is meant to be;
This hand of mine
Is yours you see.

We pledged a bond,
"Till death do us part";
We are two souls,
Who share one heart.

A little blessing
God's hands did form;
We held her close,
So soft and warm.

Each day she grows,
Our love does too;
Each sunrise refreshes
Our lives anew.
                       MAL 9/14/13                

For Damon and Gwen,
My life and love to them

Meditation: I Fearlessly Speak My Truth with Love

I went to Cedar Point yesterday and we had a good time. Gwen enjoyed going on rides with Josh. I am resting today since it is tiring spending all day there plus the drive back. Another busy week at work starts tomorrow. I transferred pictures from my phone to post on Facebook today. I am enjoying keeping up with friends and family on there more and more. It is a good outlet. I got my Mom on there so will help her get used to it as I can.

I did my meditations last night and this morning. Only a few more days left of the Oprah/Deepak 21 day challenge. They are on Day 21 but I started with the earliest I could do, 5 days back. So today I did Day 17. It is a really simple, nice series. I will try to keep doing a little meditation each day after this ends too. I already do one day at lunch every week at work with friends but have not done much myself lately until this challenge. I just found out that our meditation group is going to have a session this Friday so that will be great. They are always wonderful.

Meditation really helps me to center and connect with my inner self. It allows my poetry to flow much more easily as a result. So I am motivated to continue it.

Here is the info on the mediation I did today:

Day 17
Miraculous Communication

Today's Centering Thought:

I fearlessly speak my truth with love.

Our Sanskrit mantra:

Om Ritam Namah

My actions and intentions are supported by cosmic intelligence.

Family

Some by birth and blood do make their bond;
Some by ties of marriage of whom we are fond.

They are always there when you are in need,

Tied by a special unspoken creed.

The joy and laughter that are often shared,

Cannot be measured or compared.

They accept you with all your flaws,

Even when you give them pause.

In the heat of anger you may have spoken,

But this powerful bond cannot be broken.

The fruits of this bond are a gift from above,

A precious symbol of eternal love.

No distance or time can lessen this tie,

For it only grows stronger as the years go by.

Hold onto them tight for as long as you can,

Don't let anything come between you and your clan.

The generations before course through our veins,

Their strength can see us through any pain.

Even in death their presence is found,

As we sense their spirits are still around.

Don't question the reason nor the need,

Honor the past and their lessons heed.

The present is ours to forge the way,

As the future brings the promise of a brighter day.

                                                                        MAL 8/19/13

My Sweet Girl

Gwendolyn so very dear,
I love it when you come so near;
Hugging me so very tight,
Loving me with all your might.

Sweet kisses daily do you give,
Providing reason for me to live.
Your precious smile lights up my day,
More than words could ever say.

When you yell "Mommy" as I return,
It is a prize I could never earn.
Each night that I softly sing you to sleep
Is a precious memory for me to keep.

I watch each day as you grow,
My pride for you more than you know.
Please take your time, don't grow too fast,
So we can make these moments last.

You are my mirror, my “mini me”,
As I imagine the woman you will grow to be.
Your spirit is wonderful, a sight to behold;
I joyously await to see it unfold.

Stay as special as you are today,
Don't change who you are in any way;
You are a treasure, a gem, a pearl;
You will always be my sweet little girl.

                                                                  MAL 7/6/13