When a singer, who we have been listening to for more than five years, gets an opportunity to sing a Christmas song, with many artists from different places, it makes us feel very happy for him. I've listened to this song quite a few times already, from the day it was released.😊
So good to see Sheridan Brass in this video, by one of my favourite groups of brothers, who sing together.🎶💕
(Song posted from the 'Music Travel Love' YT page.)
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. 🙏
I've always loved the Disney songs. More than half the 'wonder and magic' of a Disney movie, is because of the memorable songs, in almost all their films. I have lots of favourites among them.😊
I found this lovely version, of one of the Disney songs that I like, today.
- Leslie Odom Jr. 🎶
Also sharing a duet of the same song.
- Kelly Clarkson and Cynthia Erivo 🎶
This is another lovely version of the same song, which I enjoy listening to, sung with an entire orchestra.
- Sara Bareilles 🎶
(Songs shared from various YT pages.)
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 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
(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.)
I often see pictures shared on friend's pages, that I identify with, because they are very close to what I think and feel.
These are a few, that I have saved, just because I like reading them again occasionally.
Coping and dealing with 'Grief', and the multiple emotions and feelings of emptiness, loneliness, being completely overwhelmed by life, and everything else that comes with it, is extremely challenging, for anybody.
Each person finds their own unique ways, to cope and keep going, despite the pain.
For most people, it becomes a 'One day at a time' kind of situation, forever, after the death of someone in their family, who they loved dearly.
...and there really is no time-frame, when it comes to coping with 'grief and pain'.😔
I think, that the world would be a better place, if everyone simply tried to help one another, to get through each day, in little ways everyday.🤍🌈
(Pictures shared from various pages on the Internet.)
(I wrote this three years ago on FB, on this day - 27th July '2022.
I guess 'Parents Day', like every other occasion or festive time of the year, always makes me miss my Family, so much more, than I do every single day.💔
Life continues, only because I'm still breathing; but the meaninglessness of it all, makes absolutely no sense to me.)😪
10, 30 and then, at almost 39;
Three significant moments,
Spanning three decades...
...They still linger on.😔
Two, sudden and unexpected,
One, close to nine years in time;
But one common thread...
...They still linger on.😪
Each moment, a unique struggle,
The last one, the hardest of the lot.
Every day, through every smile...
...They still linger on.💔
Going back, takes just a second,
Just about anything, a reminder.
Some moments, you can't forget...
...They still linger on.✨️
Unhappily Happy, Sadly Cheerful,
More people share this, than you know;
Through every mask, every disguise...
...They still linger on.💖✍️
For my many 'Angels in Heaven', today on 'Parents Day'.✨️💖
These three songs, are especially for my Parents and Grandparents, as I think of them fondly on this day. ❤️
Also for my Uncles and Aunts who have passed away.❤️
...and of course, for my brother and cousin too.❤️
Thank you for everything, that each of you meant to me, when you were still here; and for now being like my eyes in those blue skies, constantly.
Though I wish you were all, still right here with me everyday, you will continue to 'Live On', in my heart and my memory. That's where I'm keeping you, and where you will stay, 'Forever and For Always'.🤗
Though days like these make me miss you, so much more than every other day, I'm glad I have so many 'Angels', praying for me from up there.🙏
I like to believe, that from somewhere out there, you are always watching over me, even from a distance.✨️
WIND BENEATH MY WINGS 💖🎶
- One Voice Children's Choir, Jim Brickman, Mat and Savanna
I'M EVERYTHING I AM, BECAUSE YOU LOVED ME 💖🎶
- Celine Dion
(Videos shared from various YT pages.)
I miss my Family every single day. I know that I will probably miss my many 'Angels in Heaven', till the day I join them, somewhere up there in those blue skies.✨️
Till then, I'll listen to songs like these, that say exactly what I would like to say, to everyone I love, who is up there.💖
I'm glad so many Songwriters, compose meaningful songs like these. I found a whole bunch of them recently. Will share a few of them this week, since 'Parents Day' is in a few days; and that makes me miss my Mum, Dad and Grandparents, even more than usual.😪
THIS SIDE OF HEAVEN ✨️🎶
- Riley Clemmons
HEAVEN IN THE WAY ✨️🎶
- Mary-Clair
(Songs shared from the singer's YT pages.)
(Almost everyday, FB reminds me of so many old posts that I had shared and forgotten about. I wrote this one 3 years ago, on 21st July '2022.)
What better way to 'Give Thanks', than by using my talent and practising my skill of 'Writing', which I consider to be the 'Best Gift', I was ever Blessed with, without asking for it.🙏😊
HIDDEN BLESSINGS ✍️
I didn't ask for this Life I'm living;
It was given as a 'Gift', for free.
I didn't ask for the Love of a Family;
I was blessed with the Love of Three.✨️💖
I didn't ask for a comfortable Home;
I was given every Comfort, that I would ever need.
I didn't ask for Friends, to share my Journey;
Together we've turned into trees, from a seed.🤗💕
I didn't ask for a Job, that I would Love;
For many years, my Talents, it helped me explore.
I didn't ask for the Joy, that children bring,
Countless kids, brought me smiles and more.😊
I definitely didn't ask to become a strong warrior;
Like many loved ones, mistakenly think I am.
I certainly didn't ask for all the heartache and pain;
For decades, to constantly shed tears like an overflowing dam.😪
How I wish I could ask for the struggles, to just go away;
To have 'My Family' back, Forever and Always to keep.
But if I received so much, sown in my life without asking;
Maybe in this phase too, there is a 'Hidden Blessing' to reap.🤔
(There are days, when I find an old post like this one, which FB brings back to life. Posts, which still have a 'Like' or 'Comment' from my Mum on them. That may mean nothing to anyone else; but it makes that post, 'Special' to me.✨️💖
I'm sharing one of those old posts, written on this day, 8 years ago, on 19th July '2017.
Even during the time, that my Mum went through her 2 Cancers, with all the many surgeries, chemos and everything else; there were phases, when she was well enough, to still go online.
Whenever I find one of these old posts, it makes me feel, both Happy and Sad at once. Happy to see my mum's name, in the list of people, who had Liked that post; but Sad, that she can't read, anything that I write now, and that I'll never find new comments, from her again.
Tiny and silly little things like these, mean everything, to a daughter, who misses her mother, every single day.😔)
19th July '2017 ✍️
Blessings from above surround us constantly, sometimes in the form of the special people in our lives; and at other times, in the form of moments that matter, and that make a difference.
All we need to do, is to recognise those precious gifts, and to be 'Grateful' for these constant and abundant 'Blessings', no matter how large or small they may be.
Every moment in life, and so many people, who we meet on life's journey, are valuable 'Gifts' to us, from above.
Let's remember to BE THANKFUL TODAY, because who knows what's in store for us, tomorrow.🙏
