When your entire family lives in heaven, 'Guardian Angels' are always around, at every step of the way.✨️💖
FOOTSTEPS 🎶
THERE YOU'LL BE 🎶
FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND 🎶
YOU'RE THE INSPIRATION 🎶
(Songs shared from the YT pages of the singers and two lyric videos posted by others, that I found on YT.)
(I was reminded of this old FB post today, which I wrote on this day, 4 years ago, on the 1st of October' 2022. I don't think I have shared this one on my blog before. So, posting it here today.)
There are many times in our lives when we ask questions like,
'Why did this have to happen to me?'
'What if things had happened differently?'
'What if I could go back, to the way things were before?'
I know, that I've been asking these same questions every single day, for more than thirty-six years of my life.🤔
Life continues, but the questions that haunt our minds never stop;
and it doesn't really matter,
How strong or weak you are emotionally,
How deep your Faith and Hope is, or
How many unique and innovative ways and means you find, to escape from reality.
The questions persist, as you try to make sense of the madness; and you coax yourself to move forward, 'One day at a time'.⏳️🕓
For me, the days have turned into weeks, months and over thirty-six years now; but I still haven't stopped asking those same questions.🥲
And maybe, I will never get a satisfactory answer, to any of those questions;
Because how can any answer be good enough, to calm a broken heart and a restless mind, or to fill up, so many empty spaces in our lives, created at regular intervals, ever since you were ten years old.
But, a couple of years ago, I happened to discover this song called 'Blessings' by Laura Story.
In this song, she asks that same question, 'What if?' repeatedly.
Her questions though, look at the 'What If's?' from a completely different perspective.
What if Your Blessings come through raindrops?
What if Your Healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights, are what it takes, to know You're near?
What if trials of this life, the rain, the storm, the hardest nights, are Your mercies in disguise?✨️💖
It's difficult to think about the struggles, the losses and the pain we experience, at the hardest times and moments of our lives, from this point of view every single day; because some days are just harder than others, and we just don't want to.
But then, on other days, we listen to a song like this, and somehow think about the countless 'Blessings' we still have, even though we may not have everything and everyone, that we would have liked to have had, with us.
...and even though we still don't have the answers, we look at things differently; at least for a little while.🎶😊
(Song by Laura Story, shared from the Gaither Vocal Band YT page.)
A few years ago, I discoved this group called 'Dahlia Row', who sang songs in their own unique way. Their melodious music and lovely harmonies, made the well-known songs, sound even more beautiful.😊
This first one is a Rachel Platten song called 'Better Place'. The very sweet video and wonderful music, adds so much more, to the beauty of the lyrics.✨️💕
'Somewhere over the Rainbow' is one of my many favourite songs, ever since I was a child. I really love how Dahlia Row has sung and picturised this old classic.🌻🌈
The first Dahlia Row cover version that I ever heard, was this one. The Beatles songs were all very popular; and even decades later, they still are. This amazing set of musicians, with their soothing music and lovely harmonies (which they add to every song, that they sing), somehow managed to make it sound, even better.🎶💖
(These cover versions of the songs, are shared from the Dahlia Row YT page.)
A sweet and beautiful song, from an album of sing-alongs and lullabies by Christina Perri, which was released on her daughter's first birthday, a few years ago.💕
The album has many popular classics, sung very sweetly as lullabies for her little girl. This song though, is one of her original songs, on the album. I'm also sharing a very cute animated version, of the same song, which I really liked.😊
The bond between mothers and daughters, is one that lasts a lifetime; and it stays and lives on, long after the parent is not physically present, in the life of their child. That is something, that only a person who has lost their mother, and who wishes she was still around every single day, would truly understand.🥲
The simple melody and rhythm of this song, expresses that warm, genuine, encouraging, comforting, truly 'Unconditional Love' of a mother for her child, so beautifully.🎶✨️💖
(Songs shared from the YT page of Christina Perri.)
On days like today, we all remember loved ones, that we have lost over the years.😔
But when your entire family is in heaven, you can't help thinking and talking about Angels, 24/7 and 365 days of the year.
That's just how, I still try and hold on to my family, and to all the precious memories, even so many years, after they've gone.✨️💖
May all our family members, who have moved on from this earthly life, rest in eternal peace, wherever they may be.🙏🕊
(I found these songs on YT yesterday.)
(Was reminded of a memory from three years ago, posted on 2nd November '2022.)
'Somewhere up there', we all have 'Heavenly Angels', who constantly 'watch over us', from those bright blue skies. They'll always be a part of us, no matter how many years may go by, because 'Love Lives On'.🕯🕯🕯
'Somewhere out there', we all have 'Angels among us', who were probably sent to share this journey with us, and to fill our hearts with Joy and Love, like colourful rainbows of Hope.✨️❤️
'...And everywhere I am, There You'll Be'.
A lovely song 'For your Angels and mine'.😊
THERE YOU'LL BE ✨️🎶💖
- Faith Hill
(Song shared from a YT page.)
(Was reminded of this old post today. I wrote this 7 years ago, on 20th October '2018, just a little over a month, after my Mum passed away.
Maybe, it will help another person who reads this post, to find strength in times of prolonged sicknesses in the family; or help someone deal with their own tragic losses of loved ones, and with the unbearable pain that we all feel, during and after the death of people, who matter to us. Hopefully, it will just encourage us to try and be grateful anyway, even when it is very, very difficult.)
It's easy to have a positive outlook, when everything goes well, and when life is filled with joyful moments.
The real challenge is to try and keep smiling,
- when there is absolutely no reason to,
- when the situations in life cause your world, to come crashing down all around you,
- when you don't know how you're going to get through, the long road ahead,
- and when your pain is so intense, that it leaves you completely heart-broken.😪
It's always a struggle to smile through the tears and hard times, when a family member is sick or when we lose them forever; because those are the times, when it is easiest to give up on everything, and to feel completely dejected, lost and upset.
Somehow though, that same God who created us and who knows every falling tear, is always there, in the form of people who care;
- to make sure that he fills us, with the courage and strength to face the future,
- to keep moving ahead,
- and to keep living life, one moment at a time, without worrying about, what the uncertain future may have in store for us.
The greatest gift I ever received in life, was the 'Gift of a Family', and the struggles we faced together, all through our journey; because it was those very trials and difficulties, that taught me these important lessons, which will stay with me forever. I will always be Thankful to God for that.🙏😊
An old friend asked me yesterday, 'Have you processed your grief? Have you got closure after your many life struggles, over all the pain and the loss of your entire family, at the young age of 38?
Most people tend to think, that it is necessary to do this, in order to move forward in life.
I guess, that is how everyone copes or deals with, loss and death in the family. Forget all about it gradually, cover it up by making new memories everyday, bury the pain underground, never to be seen again, enjoy every moment in life, because you haven't died yet, and you're still breathing.
That probably works, for a lot of people. But, I'm not one of those people. I could never ever, close the most significant chapters of my life, just because those people, are not physically present, on this earth anymore.
A parent and a sibling, can never be replaced by anyone, even years and decades, after they are gone. It is absolutely impossible to fill in the gaps, left by the absence of a mother, a father and a brother.😪 From where do you get a new mother, a new father and a new brother, after they have died?💔...You just can't.😔
So, I will carry the memories of my parents and my brother with me, till the day I join them up in heaven. The happy memories, and the sad and difficult ones too. Those memories; even the painful ones, are what keep me connected to them...and I will hold on to every single one of them, 'Forever and Ever'.✨️💖
It's difficult to explain this concept to people. Even family and friends, don't really seem to understand.
They may want to forget. I don't want to.
They may choose to move on. I never will.
...And that's how, I deal with Loss and Death.🤷🏻♀️
No two people process 'Grief' in the same way. Each one has their own methods. It doesn't make any one, the right or wrong way. They are just different people's 'unique techniques and coping strategies', of making sense of whatever situations, life takes them through.
I'm sharing a few videos that I've watched recently. I liked listening to these. Hopefully, they may help another person, to deal with their own challenging situations, one day at a time; even if it is, two steps forward, one step backward. 🙏
Many years ago, a student of ours, took his own life, when he was in Class 10. He had been sitting in my classroom, earlier that morning; and in the evening, we received news that he was gone forever, just like that.😪
I will never forget what I felt on that day, and in the days and weeks after that. How much I wished, that I had spoken to him; if I had only known, what he was going through. How often I asked myself, why I hadn't been more observant, or noticed, any visible or invisible signs, or changes in his behaviour, which may have indicated, that he was troubled.
There have been a few other instances too; when I have known young people, who have taken this extreme step. And whenever, the person is someone you know, you always end up wishing, that you could have done something; just anything at all, to prevent them, from ending their life.🤷🏻♀️
Unfortunately, a lot of times, there are no visible signs of deep anguish, or of emotional distress or pain; because people can be extremely good at disguising, how they really feel, behind a cheerful face or talkative chatter.
Maybe the signs are there; but friends, family and people around a person like this, need to care and listen enough, to notice minor changes in behaviour, mannerisms, and to the things they say, or maybe don't even know, how to express.
But sadly, in this world of 'Over-Connection', people are more 'Disconnected', than ever before. Everyone is so caught up, in living their own lives; that no one really takes the time to notice, when someone begins to slowly fade away into the darkness, quietly.😔
I saw the poster below, a few days ago; and discovered that the International Association for Suicide Prevention, collaborates with the World Health Organisation and the World Federation for Mental Health, to observe a day every year, on the 10th of September, called 'World Suicide Prevention Day'.
So I thought, that I would write something about it today, just to create a little more awareness.✍️
I'm also sharing two songs, that speak about this.
LEAVE A LIGHT ON 🎶
(Talk away the dark)
- Papa Roach and Carrie Underwood
YOU ARE NOT ALONE 🎶
- One Voice Children's Choir
(Videos shared from various pages on YT.)
Seven years today, since that final farewell,
How quickly the days and months, have turned into years.😔
But at every step of the way, each minute of every day,
Your presence and affection, this daughter's heart longs for, through her tears.😪
Miss you Always and Forever.🤗❤️
A MOTHER'S LOVE ✨️💖🎶
- Jim Brickman (One Voice Children's Choir)
LULLABY (GOODNIGHT MY ANGEL) ✨️💖🎶
- Christina Perri
(Songs shared from different pages on YT.)
No one could ever take the place of a 'Mother', in the life of her 'Daughter'.😪
In a week, when there is an absolute fruit salad of a million flashbacks and questions, floating around in my mind; these lovely 'Mother-Daughter' songs, made me smile, for a little while.✨️💖
FOREVER MY LITTLE GIRL 🎶
A LETTER TO MY DAUGHTER 🎶
A MOTHER LIKE YOU 🎶
(Songs shared from various pages on YT.)
Weeks like these, make me think of songs like these.😔
REMEMBER ME 🎶
- Coco (Disney)
WHEN YOU ARE GONE 🎶
- Jim Reeves
PLEASE REMEMBER 🎶
-LeAnn Rimes
(Songs shared from various pages on YT.)
The Stop-Gaps brought together many amazing choirs and performers, that we all enjoy listening to, in their Concert 'A Call to Peace', which happened at the Tata Theatre, NCPA yesterday.
'Bridging the World with Song' - That is what Alfred D'Souza and 'The Stop-Gaps Cultural Academy' have been doing for many, many years, at every concert they do. Each Choir and Soloist who sang last night, chose very meaningful songs, that brought out the message of 'Peace, Love, Harmony and Brotherhood'.🤍
In a world that is constantly tattered and torn by violence, disharmony, bloodshed, negativity, irrational thinking and the completely illogical loss of innocent lives; an evening like this, filled with melodious songs, that calm and soothe the heart and soul, is like 'A Rainbow of Hope'.🌈 🕊One that reminds all of us, who love music, that the joyous 'Melody, Harmony and Rhythm' of beautifully written songs, filled with positive thoughts, can truly 'Heal the World and make it a better place, for the entire human race'.🎶
It was wonderful to have a choir from Borivali 'Symphony Voices', conducted by Allan Rodrigues, performing in this concert also. They made us feel so proud, with their wonderful harmonious singing.👏👏👏
The best part about an evening like this, besides enjoying all the beautiful songs, sung by every choir and soloist, is getting an opportunity to hear many of my favourite choirs and singers on one evening, and to meet lots of music loving friends.
A chance to listen to lots of old friends, singing in, or accompanying various choirs, to hear some amazing soloists, to feel proud of a few ex-students who were performing, and to meet many, many friends, who were in the audience too; made last night, even more special.😊💕
The One Voice Children's Choir just shared this song, a few days ago on their YT page. I like this Choir and have been listening to their cover versions of songs, for many years.
COUNT ON ME 🎶
- One Voice Children's Choir
If you ever forget, how much you really mean to me,
Every day I will, remind you.
You can 'Count on Me', like 1 2 3
I'll Be There;
Cause that's what 'Friends' are supposed to do.😊💕
I'm also sharing the lyric video of the original song.
- Bruno Mars
(Video shared from the YT pages of the singer and choir.)
Gospel based songs offer so much Comfort and Strength. They bring a different kind of Peace and Calm, whenever we listen to them.🕊🤍
For me, Prayer is more like conversations with God, at anytime and anywhere; and listening to beautiful songs like these.🙏
STILL / BE STILL AND KNOW 🎶
- Don Moen
JUST PRAY 🙏🎶
- Shawna Edwards
(An old post, that I wrote on FB, 9 years ago on this day.
It's nice to read these 'Reflections about Life', that I had written a long time ago, once again, after a gap of many years.)
11th August '2016 ✍️
Life is full of many twists and turns along the way. Some of those, we are prepared for; but some crop up so unexpectedly, that they sometimes take us completely by surprise.
When these sudden turn of events are happy ones, they absolutely make our day; and we can't help but Smile, from ear to ear.
However occasionally, these unexpected twists, could result in a lot of sadness, hurt and pain.
Overcoming these hurdles, that come our way in life though, just takes a little bit of Acceptance, Forgiveness and the ability to Smile; even though we know, that it would have been better, if life had turned out differently.
Here's hoping, we are always prepared, to 'Expect the Unexpected' and are blest with the Gift of Acceptance, no matter how difficult the situation may be. ✍️
(These are a couple of quotes, that I had found online, during the pandemic. I posted them, 6 years ago on this day.
I had shared these, just as 'Motivational Thoughts' for myself, and for anyone else who may have needed it, at that very strange time, which everyone struggled to get through.
I guess, it's always thought-provoking to read quotes like these again, whenever you're reminded of them.) 🤔
11th August '2020
(Was reminded of this old post today. I found this song on this day, two years ago, and wrote this post, on the 10th of August '2023.
I loved it, because I identified with all the experiences, that people spoke about, in this video.)
These little sharings, interspersed with this lovely song, from those who have experienced how Cancer invades the lives, of not just the person, but their entire family; are what make this song, so much more meaningful.
It was very special to hear different people, speaking about their 'Support System' and the 'Care-Givers', who were always there, and who loved them through it all.✨️💖
I'M GONNA LOVE YOU THROUGH IT 🎶
- Martina McBride
I'm also sharing another song, which I discoved some time ago. It is composed by a musician, who writes scripture based Biblical songs, mostly for children. I like many of her songs; and this one, has such beautiful and comforting lyrics.
It somehow, also matches the previous song; as there is strength in knowing, that through every struggle in life, 'God Knows' what we are experiencing. 'He Knows exactly how we feel'; and He constantly accompanies us, on our journey.🙏🌈
HE KNOWS 🎶
- Shawna Edwards
(Videos shared from the YT pages of the singer and musician.)
(Olivia Newton John left this world on the 8th of August '2022. She was one of my favourites; and on the day she died, I found this song.
I have shared it before, here also; but I read these two old FB Memories today, written on this day, back in 2022 and 2023.
So, I'm sharing the song again, with those old posts today.)
9th August '2022 ✍️
'Love is all we leave when we are gone,
Shining like the words of this song.
In every heart of those we touch,
In every dream that means so much.
Live on'.💕
Hadn't heard this song by oLIVia newtON john before.
It has such beautiful, beautiful words🙂(which I have shared below, for anyone who wants to read them.)
I know how going through or being around, a person with an illness like Cancer, takes you through experiences and teaches you 'Lessons for Life', which you can never, ever forget. So, I can identify with every word of this song so much; and I know, many others will too.
What a lovely and special song to leave behind!
I think she will 'LIV ON' in many memories and in many hearts.❤❤️❤️
Cancer takes people through many highs and lows. I think this song was created, at one of the good stages of her journey.
It's a heart-breaking, yet uplifting song, both at once.💔🌈
LIV ON ✨️💖🎶
- Olivia Newton John, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Amy Sky
9th August '2023 ✍️
I found this song last year, on the day Olivia Newton-John passed away, and thought it was such an uplifting song for her to have recorded; during all the struggles she had been through.🎶️
People respond and react to pain, emotional losses and long struggles with sickness, in different ways.
I guess through these songs, that she recorded in the last few years of her life, it was as if she was consciously leaving lots of positive messages behind, for everyone to listen to, after she was gone.✨️
I shared this song on that day too; and exactly a year later, I thought of it again. I think it's a beautiful song.❤️
(Song Lyrics) ✍️🎶
oLIVia newtON john❤
I'm wakin' up this morning
Grateful for the gift of one more day,
The light of hope is dawning,
It fills my heart and lifts my fears away.
Sometimes there's a 'miracle', just beyond the pain;
You can see the 'rainbow' in the rain.
Live on!
Live on!
Brighter skies will come again,
Cry the tears you cry,
And then LIVE ON.
Live on!
Love is all we leave, when we are gone
LIVE ON.
We've shared so much together,
Think of all the mountains we have climbed.
Sorrow, joy and laughter,
Woven thru' the tapestry of time.
Even as we're letting go,
We will not lose faith;
All the precious memories we've made.
Live on!
Live on!
In the hearts of those we touch,
All the dreams inside of us,
LIVE ON.
Live on!
Love is all we leave, when we are gone;
LIVE ON.
You've got to LIVE
You've got to LIVE ON.
Live on!
Live on!
More than just survive, my friend,
Or learning how to drive,
And then LIVE ON.
Live on!
Shining like the words inside this song.
LIVE ON.
Live on!
LOVE is all we leave when we are gone;
LIVE ON.
In every heart of those we touch,
In every dream, that means so much.
LIVE ON
Yes I believe that all of us,
LIVE ON.✨️💖
(Videos shared from ONJ's YT page.)
If there is one thing, that I have wished for most of all, right through my life, it has always been, 'I wish my Brother was still here with me'.💔
It is 'Raksha Bandhan' tomorrow, and everywhere you look, there are ads and reminders about the beauty and wonder of 'Sibling relationships'.
I lost my own brother, when I was only 10 years old, in a sudden and completely unexpected road accident. So, for close to four decades since then, I have longed for him to still be a part of my life, almost every single day.😪
I guess, in some way, he has always been around; because I constantly remind everyone who knows me, about him all the time, whenever I get a chance. Sharing old photographs of him, is just my way of making sure, that the people in my life, never forget him.✨️💖
When I was growing up, there was this one song, from an old Hindi movie, that always reminded me of my brother, and always made me cry, every time I heard it somewhere...It still does, even now.😔
It is an evergreen Hindi song, that a brother sings to his sister. So, someone or the other, always shares it again, during this time. I found one of those newer videos today.
EK HAZAARON MEIN, MERI BEHNA HAIN 😪💔🎶
...and this is another song that I love. Probably, if my brother and my parents were still around, they would say things like this to me, to encourage me and to make me feel supported, whenever I needed it.
Since they aren't around anymore, I can only listen to a song like this; and while I imagine them singing it to me, I just encourage myself.
I guess, that's what people, who weren't given much of a choice, in the way their life turned out, do.🤷🏻♀️
I HOPE YOU DANCE 🎶❤️
- Ronan Keating
(Videos shared from various YT pages.)
KINDNESS BOOMERANG 🎶
BE KIND 🎶
- Jason Gray
(Videos shared from various pages on YT and the pictures are taken from the internet.)
