Songs You Sing

Last night while watching a new beloved show (Glee), I was surprised to hear them sing an old song titled 'Smile'. It is a song known to me by watching My Girl years ago and was also sung by Judy Garland at one time. It is an old song, a classic to me, but I didn't think it would be "popular" enough of a song for the show as they typically sing a lot of pop songs. Needless to say, I was happy to hear a new generation singing it.

'Smile' has a special meaning to me. As a kid, when I watched the movie My Girl, it ingrained in me that I would someday sing that song to my children if I they were crying and feeling blue. I guess I live my life in some ways like musical (which I happily blame it on my parents need to show me culture and the arts) despite my inability to sing well, but that is what I imagined as a kid. So when I found out I was pregnant, I would softly sing my little boy the song "Smile" even before I knew it was a him. I would sit on a rocking chair in his nearly empty nursery, rub my growing belly and sing. Once my son was born and would wake up during odd hours of the night for feedings, I would always softly sing 'Smile' to his sweet, little, infant face as he filled his little belly and fell asleep to the melody. As he got older and if something scared him or he just needed that extra bit of TLC, I would sing softly again his little song. He always quieted down.

Now days my little boy typically wants to be held only for split seconds or at some rare moments will be held longer if something is making him afraid. He's usually too busy to be held unless it suites him. However, this morning was a little different. It has been a while since I last sang him our little song, so I scooped him up and sang. At first when I picked him up, he scrambled in my arms wanting to be free to do "his thing", but quickly settled down in a little quiet trance listening to me sing. We were at peace and he stayed with me tucked in my arms until the song was over.

I'll be honest when I say that I probably haven't sang him that song in months. There was no real reason to sing it to him as he is my little "go getter". Things hardly phase him now days. I just find it remarkable he remembers, that it still soothes him and that for a little while longer it can still be our little song together.