NOBODY'S CHILD 😔

 

I wonder why 'Singing Teachers' teach this very sad song, to little children in school.🤔

I remember learning this song way back in my 'School Singing Classes'. As I listened to this version of the song today, I heard the singer Daniel O'Donnell mention, that he also learnt this song, as a child.

So, I guess in many parts of the world, this very melancholic song, about a 'Blind Orphan Child', is strangely taught to little kids. Probably because, it has a simple and easy to learn melody; or maybe, the message that the song conveys, has a very valuable lesson, that young children could be taught, through a song.🎶

This song, somehow means more to me now, in recent years, than it did before...and often, during this month of May, when my parents celebrated their 'Wedding Anniversary', or just whenever I think of them and miss them, a little more than other days actually; this song starts playing in my mind, almost on its own. I guess it's because, I  'Feel their Absence', at certain times and in some situations, even more. 

A couple of months ago, someone said to me, "But you have lots of friends, don't you? I'm sure you 'Talk to them', and 'Share how you Feel' with them, often."

In response to that, I only smiled.🙂

I guess, that's the main problem.🤷🏻‍♀️ 

When over a period of years, you consciously choose to 'push the whole world away', and live in the safety of your 'own cocoon', away from the 'ceaseless questioning' and (maybe genuine) but often inquisitive 'concern' of others. 

When you only make 'occasional brief appearances', at places and times, that you choose to.

...Everyone conveniently presumes, that 'You Have Someone Else', who is 'Always Around'.

Family thinks you have Friends,

Friends think you have Family.

Cousins think you have Colleagues, 

Colleagues think you have Cousins.

Parishioners think you have Neighbours,

Neighbours think you have Parishioners.

...Everybody constantly assures you that 'We're always there'; but everyone also just concludes, that 'someone else must be there'.😔

Of course, a few occasionally check in, to see if you're doing alright; but because you've chosen to be 'distant and keep to yourself' for a long time, the frequency at which everyone asks, gradually reduces.

I'm not complaining; because I also always stay away, since I prefer not to intrude on, or to be a 'dampner' on other people's joyful moments, by going for an occasion, and then not participating in all the 'Fun'.

And I also know, that in this world, where almost everyone lives a very stressful, constantly busy life; the primary focus of every person is always, 'Their Own'. 

Sadly, what I've realised, is that the only people who are truly 'Your Own', or who 'You Truly Belong To', are your 'Own Immediate Family'.✨️ 

Everyone else, has their own children, their own parents, their own husband or wife, their own siblings, their own somebody; and even if you are 'Close Friends or even Extended Family', you still always come 'After Them' to everyone, no matter how close you may be.

...and that is the 'Harsh Reality of Life', which you only realise, when you lose your 'Own Family'.

Just like the song, in a sense, you do feel completely 'Orphaned', and a lot like 'Nobody's Child', when the only people who were really 'Your Own', and the ones that you truly 'Belonged To', journey on to the next life.😢

...and even if your loved ones, often make attempts to 'Re-connect', or to 'Include You', in the things they do together; you still choose to stay away. They often, don't understand your reasons, and probably think that you're being unreasonably aloof, for way too long.

I guess, most people (even family and friends), only realise how you really feel, when they experience emotions like 'Loss, Emptiness and Loneliness', themselves. 

Every person finds 'their own way', to deal and cope with 'Grief'. What works for one person, may not work for someone else; because each of us is created differently, and we are all unique. So, no method or technique is right or wrong. 

Some people, choose to get over how they feel and to 'Drown Out the Sorrow', by mixing and mingling constantly, or by burying themselves in their work. Others, prefer to become more 'Reclusive'; and stay in their own 'quiet corner'.

To the more reclusive ones, even happy things like picnics, parties and holidays, are constant harsh and painful 'Reminders', of the way 'Life used to be', when your 'Happy Family Portrait' was Complete. So, they choose to remain in their lonely, yet safe shell; because seeing others in their family, with each of their own parents or kids, just painfully reminds them, of what is 'missing', in their own life.😔

An old school friend, who is a Psychologist and a Counsellor, used to read some of my posts; and she once asked me, if I would speak about the things I write in my posts, at a session for people dealing with 'Grief'. She felt, that my sharings, might help so many others, to try and make sense, of the feelings of 'Loss and Emptiness', that they were dealing with.

Of course, I refused; because 'Talking about what I feel' with actual people, even close Friends and Family; has never been something that comes easily to me. I could probably 'Write a Book', or maybe even 'Ten Volumes', filled with my deepest feelings and emotions; but those same 'Words', would just lie buried within, if I had to actually talk to someone, face to face.

That's probably the reason why, I'll forever feel like 'Nobody's Child', even though I have many, many Friends and Family members, who are 'Genuinely Concerned' and who 'Care'.❤️

...That 'Emptiness and that Vacant Space', will still remain; because the 'Words', that flow like an overflowing river, when I write it all down; refuse to make an appearance, and prefer to hide in the dark shadows of my heart, whenever there is a living, breathing human being, in front of me, with whom to 'Share'.🤐✍️

DIFFERENTLY ALIKE 🎶

 

I thought of this song yesterday, because it was an appropriate title for my previous post.

In my mind though, I could hear the Jim Reeves version of the song; because that's the song I remember, from my childhood days.🎶

Today, I discovered another version by Alan Jackson, which has very different lyrics. 

One song, sung by two different artists; but because the lyrics are not identical, they almost sound like two different songs. ✍️

PRECIOUS MEMORIES (Song Lyrics) 🎶

- Alan Jackson

Precious memories, unseen angels
Sent from somewhere to my soul,
How they linger, ever near me
And the sacred past unfolds.

Precious memories, how they linger
How they ever flood my soul,
In the stillness, of the midnight
Precious sacred scenes unfold.

Precious Father, Loving Mother✨️
Fly across the lonely years,
And old home scenes, of my childhood
In fond memory appears.

Precious memories, how they linger
How they ever flood my soul,
In the stillness, of the midnight
Precious sacred scenes unfold.

I remember, Mother prayin'
Father too, on bended knee,
The sun is sinkin', shadows fallin'
But their prayers still follow me.

Precious memories, how they linger
How they ever flood my soul,
In the stillness, of the midnight
Precious sacred scenes unfold.

'Precious Memories' fill my soul.❤️

PRECIOUS MEMORIES...HOW THEY LINGER ✨️🎶

 

One of many, many songs, that I used to hear my Dad singing at family parties, when I was growing up (Although I remember him singing this song, at a much faster pace, than this slow rhythm.) 

He used to sing a lot of these old songs so often, that I think I unconsciously picked them up over the years, without anyone ever teaching me these songs.

PRETEND 🎶

- Nat King Cole

Some of the countless songs, that I remember him singing, just off the top of my head - Pretend, Invisible Tears, Blueberry Hill, Paper Roses, Diana, Help me make it through the night, and the list could go on and on...

INVISIBLE TEARS 🎶

- Dean Martin

I literally still have this drawer full of his audio cassettes, with so many of these old songs. So, I'm guessing these songs must've been played a lot at home, constantly; in addition to him singing them, at every family party.

BLUEBERRY HILL 🎶

- Fats Domino

Like I often do, I was thinking today, of the many, many sing-song sessions, at family get-togethers and parties.😍 I think, without really trying to, I learnt lots and lots of old songs, on occasions such as these, when I was growing up.😊 

PAPER ROSES 🎶

- Marie Osmond

Between my Grandfather (mum's dad), my Dad, my Godfather (The three awesome singers in the family), and all the other Uncles and Aunts who enjoyed music too; and thanks to those Pop-Hits books, we were never short of songs to sing. So, long before YouTube and the Internet came along, my 'Music Education' had already begun.🎶💕

Later of course, these sing-along traditions have carried on, at our many choir parties and picnics; where we enjoyed singing together, with everyone adding some harmony here and there and making it more enjoyable. We've kept lots of people's neighbours awake and entertained, at some of these gatherings too. Good memories!😄

All these happy memories, are probably why, over the years, these tunes have just stuck in my memory, and why they make me feel so nostalgic, anytime I hear anyone else singing them anywhere. No doubt, the singers who sing these old songs today, all sing them really well; but when I hear these songs, I can actually hear my Dad's voice in my head, as they transport me back in time.✨️❤️

IN THIS 'MOM'ENT ✨️❤️

 

The children we teach in school, change a lot (especially in the way they look), from the time they are teenagers, to when they are grown young men. That's why, very often, it is difficult for us teachers to recognise them, when we suddenly meet them, after a gap of more than a decade or two.

Just yesterday, I bumped into a student who passed out of DB, way back in 2012. So, that's twelve years ago. I look exactly the same, except for the grey hair. So, he recognised me instantly; and his first question was, 'Miss, do you remember me?'🤔

Now, while the children we teach grow up, as the years go by; we teachers, kind of stay exactly the same. So, it's much easier for them to identify us, than it is for us, to place them. I didn't recognise him for a little while, because he is now 'all grown up', and looks very different; but of course, once he told me his name and which Batch he was in, it was easier for me, to remember who he was.

The most unbelievable thing, is that even though we initially struggle to place the 'now grown up' boy; once we identify the child, we can immediately remember lots of other little things about them too, including which 'House' they were in as well. 

Since we've taught innumerable students over the years, it's sometimes difficult for us, to remember instantly. But, as soon as that connection is made in our memory, we can almost see the image of that child, in his school uniform, complete with the colour of his 'House Tie', flashing in our mind's eye.😄

What made me feel really 'Special' during this brief encounter though, was the way in which he introduced me to his elder sister, with so much joy and pride saying, "This was my English Teacher in school."💕

What he said next, absolutely made my day. He said, "Miss, I took your advice, and didn't follow the path that everyone takes, in college. I chose a different subject, that I enjoyed; and today, I have a great job abroad, because of that."😊

An unexpected chance encounter, with an ex-student that I haven't seen, ever since he passed out of Class 10, twelve long years ago; lifted the spirits of his old teacher, with just that one sentence. To know that children, 'valued my words of advice', enough to make important 'career choices and decisions', based on something I once said, in the classroom; just made me feel on 'Top of the world'. I walked out from there, feeling 'So Grateful'.✨️

Every once in a while, a child that I had taught years ago, walks back into my life, just like that; probably to remind me once again, that I 'Made a Difference' to his life, in some small way. Nothing could make a Teacher feel better, than unexpected experiences like these. A tiny moment like this one, brings that 'Smile' right back, at least for a little while.❤️

(The song I've shared with this post, 'In this Moment', is one of my favourite songs about Teachers'; because it is so meaningful. The 'Moments', that we teachers spend with the kids in school, may not last forever. But the 'Impact' we make on their lives, most definitely does 'STAY' with them, as long as they live.🎶

It's so awesome, when one day, completely 'out of the blue'; they come back, and tell you that.

Also, now that I think about it, this reminder came to me on 'Mother's Day'. Probably just a coincidence, but a happy coincidence; since I consider my Mother, to be the 'Best Teacher' I ever had.🌟 

There's no one in the world, that I miss more than her, every single minute of every day. I guess, Mom's somehow always know, exactly the right 'MOM'ent, when we need a 'Pick-Me-Up'.)🤗

YOU BRING THE SUN OUT ✨️❤️

YOU BRING THE SUN OUT 🎶🌼

- Randy Crawford

(Song Lyrics)✍️

You bring the sun out

To warm my life up

To make my love grow every day.

You bring the stars out

To light the night up

To make the darkness go away.

I reach to you, you reach to me

No matter where I go, I know you'll always be.

Never too far, far from my heart

I'll always have you here

I'll always know you're near.

To bring the sun out

To warm my life up

To make my love grow every day.

You bring the stars out

To light the night up

To make the darkness go away

To make the darkness go away. ✨️❤️

(A friend shared her version of this song earlier today; and I thought the words were so beautiful. I went and looked for the song, so that I could listen to the original; just like I always do, whenever I like a song that anyone sings.

This video of the song is one of the many, uploaded by somebody on YT.)

I'M LOVING ANGELS INSTEAD ✨️❤️

 

There are a few songs, that are just closer to my heart than others...and even though, many of them are picturised as 'Love Songs', to me they are songs that remind me, of my own loved ones, who are 'Somewhere up there, in those Blue Skies'.❤️

Like the sky meeting the sea at the horizon, is only an illusion; these songs help me live in my own little bubble, where I like to believe that maybe, 'My Angels' are looking down on me and watching over me everyday.🤍

TO WHERE YOU ARE ✨️

- Josh Groban

'You're still an Inspiration,

Can it be, 

That you are my Forever Love

And you are watching over me

From up above.🎶✍️

HEAVEN KNOWS ✨️

- Rick Price

'Even now she's gone,

I'm still holding on...

So, tell me where do I start

Cause it's breaking my heart,

Don't want to let her go.'🎶✍️

ANGELS ✨️

- Robbie Williams

'And through it all

She offers me protection,

A lot of Love and Affection

Whether I'm right or wrong;

Down the waterfall

Wherever it may take me,

I know that life won't break me...

She won't forsake me

I'm loving Angels instead.' 🎶✍️

EVERYDAY LESSONS ✍️

TO LIVE IS TO LEARN 👩‍🏫

Exploring

Discovering

Learning

Growing

Almost as constant and as important,

As the rhythm of a beating heart;

Till the tick-tocking within, doesn't finally stop,

The lessons continue...

Exactly like they did, at the start.

Books

Media

People

Life

They come to us, from just about anywhere,

Through countless 'Educators', along the way.

Formal Education, is only the beginning;👩‍🎓

But we imbibe, a whole lot more...

From 'Our Experiences' everyday.🤷‍♀️

A little while back, I was thinking about, how we constantly keep learning something new, at almost every single moment of our lives. From the day, we come into being, even when we're still a tiny collection of developing cells in the womb, we're probably listening, feeling, sensing and learning. When we do eventually make our presence felt on this planet, with a very grand entrance, screaming and yelling at the top of our lungs; our journey of constantly absorbing everything around us, just like a sponge, continues.

...and even though our life, may take us in several different directions along the way; that limitless memory bank in our brain, just keeps soaking it all in and keeping it there forever, in that extremely intelligent storehouse, that we call 'the human mind'. 

With the amount of information it collects during a single lifetime, one would imagine, that our minds would have to be quite a disorganised and chaotic mess, with innumerable flashes of experiences and memories piled on, one on top of the other in a heap.🤔 

Somehow though, that ever expanding database, always seems to function with clockwork precision; and it often leaves us in awe, at the way in which it suddenly makes connections and brings to mind little things, even from way back when, that we wouldn't even believe, it would still remember.

Paperwork in any work-place or even in a home, requires to be alphabetically arranged, well-labelled and filed away, either physically or digitally; for us to go back and find it again, when required. 

Strangely, that filing system in our brain is so efficient, that it knows exactly where each pocket of information is stored; and it takes us back to just the right page, at exactly the right time, whenever we need it, almost in a flash. The human mind is probably one of the most fascinating things in the world and its capacity to assimilate and comprehend, is absolutely unbelievable.✨️ 

Till a couple of years ago, I didn't really step out of an educational institution, right from the time I was admitted into the nursery section, as a child. From school, to college, to University, to B.Ed. College, and then full circle, back to school, I've spent four decades of my life, in an atmosphere of 'Formal Education'. 

So, I've constantly been learning, every single day; whether it was as a student, in the first two decades - sitting in a classroom, listening to my own teachers, and then, studying to do well in an exam; or as a teacher myself, during the next two decades - reading up tons of new content everyday, to try and appear, just a little more knowledgeable than the over-smart millennials, who always seemed to know everything.😊 

But the relatively crazier 'Adventure of Life' has taught me far more, than what I could ever learn from books, or even through the know-it-all, internet search engines. I learn something new every minute of every day, on this journey.

I guess for all of us, till the day, that heart of ours gets too tired to tick-tock anymore, our constantly evolving mind will keep teaching us lessons, because the 'Learning Truly Never Stops'.️✍️

(Wrote this on FB last year on this day, 11th May'23. These 'FB Memories' sure do remind me of lots of nice things, that I've written and then forgotten about.)😊

THE GIFT OF A MOTHER'S LOVE ✨️❤️

 

I was blessed with the 'Gift of a Mother's Love', for just 38 years of my life...and I find myself longing for it every single day, since she went away. 

Those warm hugs, that shoulder to cry on, her words of advice about anything and everything, those knowing looks (because she always knew something was off, even before I could tell her), that unforgettable taste of her cooking and baking, and most of all, that 'Hand to Hold', which constantly assured me, 'I'm There'. I could list out an endless number of things, that I miss about my mother.😢

She was the only 'Best Friend' I ever had...and no one, would ever be able to replace her.✨️❤️

Since 'Mother's Day' is celebrated across the world during this week, I thought I would post three lovely and very meaningful songs, with beautiful words, that I like. They're simple songs, but I love them; because they are 'very real' and express feelings that come 'straight from the heart'.✍️

HAND TO HOLD 🎶

- JJ Heller

A MOTHER'S LOVE 🎶

- Jim Brickman

(Sung by the children of the 'One Voice Children's Choir.)

A MOTHER LIKE YOU 🎶

- JJ Heller

ALWAYS LOVED! FOREVER MISSED!✨️❤️✨️❤️✨️❤️

PAIN CONNECTS PEOPLE ✍️

 

It's so wonderful how we connect with different people, for different reasons.😀 

Nalini Sorensen is a writer that I have followed for a few years, who writes books for children. We share a love for writing, creativity, music and have a lot of common friends too...But, the one thing that has connected us, more than all those reasons, is a shared feeling of loss and emptiness, when you lose people who are very dear to you.😢

How beautifully Nalini has expressed her sense of loss in this little piece, which she wrote in response to the word-prompt 'password'. As I read this, I thought about how every person, who has loved and lost someone dear to them, would be able to identify with this so much.

How just about anything and everything, becomes a new and ever-changing 'password' to take you back in time, and re-live moments and memories; and yet, unlike other passwords, it cannot really unlock all the pain and anguish. 

Writing can be extremely therapeutic. I'm glad to have friends with shared life experiences like these, that show us how so many people, have similar struggles; and how we all find our own little ways to try and cope with grief.✨️❤

(Had shared this post on FB, 2 years ago, on this day, 9th May' 2022. I had asked Nalini Sorensen, if I could share her poem that day, and she agreed.

This came up as a FB memory today, and so, I just thought I should save it here as well; as a beautiful reminder, of how losing a loved one or two, makes all of us feel exactly the same.)

IN OTHER WORDS ✨️❤️

 

Just happened to stumble upon this medley of songs today. I haven't heard this singer or these musicians from Thailand before; but all the five songs in this medley, are 'Long Time Favourites' of mine. So I thought, that I would save this video here, which will enable me to listen to it again later, whenever I want to.😊🎶

Friends who like these songs, will enjoy listening to this video too, especially because of the great music and the instruments, played by all the musicians, accompanying the singer.✨️❤️

(FLY ME TO THE MOON / AUTUMN LEAVES / MISTY / JUST THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT / L.O.V.E.) 🎶

- Mild Nawin 

I WALK WITH MUSIC 🎶✨️❤️

 

I discovered the joy of 'acapella singing', during my years at St.Xavier's College. There were a couple of groups in college, that participated in many of the Inter-College events back then. One or two of those groups were much Senior to us, and one of the groups was made up of my own friends. They were all pretty amazing.❤️

When I was in the Junior College, I even took part in one of those 'Inter-College Group Singing' events; and then, in the next few years, I enjoyed cheering my friends on from the audience, instead. Those are truly some unforgettable 'Musical Memories', that will stay with me forever.🎶

I loved spending most of the time (when I was not in the classroom), at their practice sessions. They practiced in some very unexpected, quiet nooks and corners of the college; and I would enjoy being around, just listening to them. In fact, I found some really unknown spaces in college (that I didn't even know existed), under those 'Harry Potter like old staircases', where they used to practice sometimes, because of the great acoustics there.😊

My love for 'acapella singing' has remained unchanged, to this day; (and even close to three decades later), I still listen to a number of groups that post videos online. Last night, I discovered this really awesome group called 'Highline Vocal Jazz'. Their harmonies are just something else. I normally share two or three videos in one post; but this time, I'm going to share four. Just because, I can't decide which songs I like more and which ones to leave out.😄

HOW HIGH THE MOON 🎶

ALL OF ME 🎶

THE NEARNESS OF YOU 🎶

I WALK WITH MUSIC 🎶

This one isn't acapella; but I liked the song. So, I had to share it too.😊

All of these arrangements are pretty spectacular. Not sure if they arrange these themselves, or if they sing the arrangements written by other musicians; but either way, they sound really fabulous. I'm sure friends who enjoy Choral Singing, and listening to songs sung in harmony, will love these videos.💕

(P.S. A few hours after posting this, I just checked the description written for each of these videos on YT, because I was curious to know who writes their harmonies; and I discovered, that one of the five singers, Jared Graveley has written all these four arrangements, which is really great.👍)

PAINTING MIRACLES WITH COLOURS ✨️🌈

Those of us who were born at a time, when 'Black and White' movies were still around, know what a difference 'Colour Televisions' made to our viewing experience. 

Although, there is a very 'old-world, classic and nostalgic charm', to Black and White photographs and films; 'Colour' just changed everything. It made us see the world, in all its wonderful and varied shades and hues.

Music also always adds 'Colour and Brightness' to our World. So, am sharing two of my favourite songs about 'Colours', that I thought of earlier today.🎶

'Paint with all the Colours of the Wind' is a beautiful song, from the Disney film 'Pocahontas', sung by Vanessa Williams. It's a song with a thought-provoking message as well, and I have used it a couple of times, when I was back at DB, to highlight 'Nature and Environmental Conservation' based themes. 💚💙

COLOURS OF THE WIND 

- Vanessa Williams (Pocahontas - Disney)

'Counting Colours in the Rainbow' is also a very sweet song, which I learnt when I was a child, probably in one of my 'Singing Classes' at school. The simplicity of the words and the melody, have stayed with me, over the years. Each time I hear it, the song just makes me 'Smile', maybe because it takes me back to my childhood days.✨️🌈

COUNTING COLOURS IN THE RAINBOW

- Nina and Frederik

(Found these videos of the songs, uploaded by different people on YT.)

I'D WANT IT TO BE YOU 😊🎶

 

Discovered this lovely duet by Barbra Streisand and Willie Nelson, a couple of years ago; and I loved it. They have changed a few of the lyrics in the original song, to incorporate some of the titles of their songs; which I thought was really sweet.😊

I love the way they've made this Lyric Video too. It's such a meaningful song about 'Friendship and Love'; and even if you're not lucky enough to have anyone to sing it for (because the only one 'Best Friend' you ever had, is somewhere up there, in those Blue Skies), it's still a great song to listen to.🎶

I'D WANT IT TO BE YOU (Song Lyrics)

- Barbra Streisand and Willie Nelson

Time has a way of changing everything

That goes for almost anything but us;

Always have and I always will remain

Words from a heart that you can trust.

While others come and go

You can always know I'm here for you

Whenever you might need me.

Sometimes, if you're lucky

You find that certain someone

You can always count on to be true;

If I had the choice of only one friend in this world

You know that I'd want it to be you.

You're still kind of crazy

After all these years,

You'll always be that funny girl to me;

Season to season we'll always have a reason

To be the best of friends that we can be.

Someone you can turn to, every minute of the day

Warm memories to hold on to, that will never fade away.

Sometimes, if you're lucky

You find that certain someone

You can always count on to be true;

If I had the choice of only one friend in this world

You know that I'd want it to be you.

You're like the sweet familiar song,

A good book when I'm alone,

A cup of coffee when I'm cold,

A country road that leads me home.

Sometimes, if you're lucky

You find that certain someone

You can always count on to be true;

If I had the choice of only one friend in this world

You know that I'd want it to be you.

When I get on the road again

You'll be always on my mind;

We'll stay the way we were forever true,

There's no one in this world that's been a better friend to me,

Than You.✨️❤️

WE THANK THEE ✨️❤️

If there is one Singer, whose songs were like the 'Background Score' to so many of our lives, during our childhood, it has to be Jim Reeves. Almost every home has his 'audio cassettes' and they were just played repeatedly, over and over again, all the time; so often, that those Songs and that amazing 'low voice', just stayed with many, many of us.

The moment I hear a Jim Reeves song anywhere, it automatically transports me back in time; and countless 'Memories' come flooding back, instantly. It makes me think of my 'Parents and Grandparents', who probably introduced me to these songs, right at the time when I was a baby in the cradle. Sometimes I think, that I was probably listening to these old songs, even when I was still inside my mother's womb; since they were just playing at home, 'constantly'. That may be the reason why, I'm so fond of them. They remind me of 'Special People', who aren't with me anymore.✨️

MOONLIGHT AND ROSES (Song Lyrics)

'Moonlight and Roses bring wonderful Memories of you

My heart reposes in beautiful thoughts so true

June light discloses Love's golden dreams sparkling anew

Moonlight and Roses bring Memories of you'.🎶😊

Carlton Braganza has sung many, many lovely Jim Reeves tunes on Jukebox Jammies, over a span of four years; and each time he sings one of those special melodies, it is absolutely 'Nostalgic'.  Carlton's voice sounds great singing any song; but I think, the Jim Reeves songs, just sound really good, when he sings them. I Love a lot of his songs, and it is extremely difficult to  pick, which ones I like more than others; but since I can't post all the songs at once, I'm sharing just three of my favourites today. 

YOU'LL NEVER KNOW (Song Lyrics)

You'll never know just how much I love you

You'll never know just how much I care

And if I tried, I still couldn't hide my love for you

You ought to know, for haven't I told you so

A million or more times.

You went away and my heart went with you

I speak your name in my every prayer

If there is some other way to prove that I love you

I swear I don't know how

You'll never know if you don't know now. 🎶

The magic of any Jim Reeves song, is in those 'low notes'. They sound quite 'magical' when Carlton sings them too.

We'll never get to hear the real Jim Reeves sing for us; but I'm glad we have Carlton Braganza to remind us of his songs, every time he sings one of them on JJ.😊

WE THANK THEE (Song Lyrics)

We thank Thee each morning for a newborn day
Where we may work the fields of new mown hay
We thank Thee for the sunshine
And the air that we breathe
Oh Lord, We Thank Thee.

We thank Thee for the rivers that run all day
We thank Thee for the little birds that sing away
We thank Thee for the trees
And the deep blue sea
Oh Lord, We Thank Thee.

Oh yes we thank Thee Lord
For every flower that blooms
Birds that sing, fish that swim
And the light of the moon

We thank Thee every day
As we kneel and pray
That we were born with eyes
To see these things.

We thank Thee for the fields
Where the clovers grow
We thank Thee for the pastures
Where the cattle may roam
We thank Thee for Thy love so pure and free
Oh Lord, We Thank Thee.❤️

THE STORY CONTINUES...✍️

 

1st May' 1978 ❤️ 

46 years today,

If their story 

Had a happier ending.😢

That's my reality, I guess,

Cherish the Memories,

Look for little reasons to 'Smile',

And just try to 'Keep on Living' everyday.🤷‍♀️

Some days, I wonder 'Why',

Because there really seems no point;

But maybe, that's what I'm supposed to do,

Since 'My Story', still goes on.✨️✍️

Like I always do, I went to look through 'Old Photographs', a few days ago. My parent's Wedding Album is one of those very old 'musical albums', which has a tiny key that you can wind up, on the inside of the front cover. Once you wind it up, it plays a simple little tune, while you look through the photographs.

I had gone back to look at this album, after a really long time. So, I wasn't sure if it still worked. But I wound it a few times; and 46 years later, it magically, still works perfectly.😊

The first thought that came to my mind, as I listened to it play that melody, is how it had strangely 'outlived the couple', whose 'Cherished Memories', of the beginning of their life together, it held on every page.

That's the 'Story of Life'! It may not always end in 'Happily Ever After' for everyone; but it goes on and continues anyway, with or without all the people in it.🤷

WHAT IF? 🤔

I've lived practically my entire life, with a whole bunch of 'Whys?' and 'What Ifs?', constantly doing the Samba and the Tango, in my mind.🤔

I was brought up in a Family, that always had a strong Faith, 'no matter what' trials and difficulties may come our way.

I may not be as 'Prayerful' or as sincere and dedicated to 'Serving the Community and Reaching out with my Time and Presence', all the time, as both my parents used to be; but I did learn to 'Trust and Thank God' for his numerous 'Blessings' everyday, from them.

So, 

Even though there are many, many times when I really cannot understand 'God's Plan' for my Life, 

Even when I have absolutely 'No Clue' why I was the only one left behind,

Even when I have no idea, what the next chapter in 'My Story' is going to be,

I like to 'Believe', that maybe there is a 'Blessing' in all of these uncertainties. 

Who knows?🤷

 BLESSINGS

- Laura Story

(Song Lyrics)

We pray for blessings

We pray for peace

Comfort for family, protection while we sleep

We pray for healing, for prosperity

We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering

And all the while, You hear each spoken need

Yet Love us way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause 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?

And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?

We pray for wisdom

Your voice to hear

And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near

We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love

As if every promise from Your Word is not enough

And all the while, You hear each desperate plea

And long that we'd have Faith to Believe

'Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops?

What if Your healing comes through tears?

And what if the thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know You're near?

And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?

When friends betray us

And when darkness seems to win

We know that pain reminds this heart

That this is not, this is not our home

It's not our home

'Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops?

What if Your healing comes through tears?

And what if the thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know You're near?

What if my greatest disappointments

Or the aching of this life

Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy

And what if trials of this life

The rain, the storms, the hardest nights

Are Your mercies in disguise?🤔

(Also sharing another Lyric Video of the same song, uploaded by someone on YT.)

'WE ALL HAVE ANGELS...AND YOU ARE MINE'. ✨️❤️

 

Andy Grammer has written a few really beautiful and very uplifting songs. I discovered his song 'Don't Give Up On Me', that he sang with the children from the 'PS 22 Chorus' (who're trained by their Music Teacher, Gregg Breinberg), right at the beginning of the pandemic. This song, really helped me through that horrible time. I was so, so glad that I found it; and I literally listened to it on 'Repeat Mode', day in and day out, for a very long time.😊

Songs really have that ability to 'Lift your Spirits', when you're feeling down. They were actually, what got me through those times.🎶

The pandemic happened just about a year and a half after my Mum passed away, (after battling two Cancers, over a span of close to nine years). My world had already grown completely 'Silent', even before she died; because towards the end, her pain was so intense, that she didn't even know who I was, or that I was there, sitting right next to her.😢 Those years, were a whole different struggle of their own, because being a 'Care-Giver' and balancing a very demanding job, isn't the easiest thing in the world. It kind of drained me out totally, both physically and emotionally.😒

I hadn't even come to grips to dealing with that void and her absence in my life, together with all the changes it brought; when Covid made an appearance. It just hit me like 'a second bolt of lightening' and made my already 'Silent and Empty World', go completely 'Quiet, even More Silent and Terribly Isolated'.😷

I'm writing about these experiences now, (a few years later), in the hope that maybe, 'Someone, Somewhere' who goes through similar struggles, may one day read it; and that in some small way, it may help them to cope with and face, whatever curveballs life throws at them. 

Music has always been my 'Forever Companion', from the time I was a child. But, during those years, I think I just turned to Music for Solace and Comfort, in a way that I had never done before. Like always, it did not disappoint. Every song I listened to, made sure to make me feel like 'I Wasn't Alone'. It reminded me that 'Someone was There', even from a distance.💕

I don't think I would ever be able to really explain, how much the 'Songs' and the 'Music' helped me, when no one else was around. Even if I said it a thousand times, and wrote many, many posts about it; I still would not be able to do justice, to how much I owe to every 'Voice', that 'knowingly and unknowingly' REACHED OUT to me and HELD MY HAND, through the 'Songs' they sang. They felt like 'a warm hug on a cold day'.🤗 They were singing the songs, to everyone, everywhere; but somehow, they made me feel like 'Someone was Singing the Songs, Just To Me'.✨️

Those years were tough for people all over the globe. But they were twice as hard for me, because my whole world had just been turned upside down, only a little before that. Songs like these, carried me through 'one of the most difficult phases of my Life'.🎶

...and that's why I like to Believe, that all those who 'Sang to Me', really 'Saved My Life', in more ways than they know. Not all of them, will ever read this post; but I need to write it down anyway, just to express what is in my heart.❤️ 

A couple of years later, towards the end of the pandemic, Andy Grammer released another awesome song. The first time I heard it, I just felt like I wanted to say exactly that, to a few people, who were 'There for Me'.😊 

So, this song is for the 'Special Angels' in my Life 

Who kept on the 'Lights'

During those dark times.✨️❤️

SAVED MY LIFE

- Andy Grammer 

(Song Lyrics)

Whoa-oh-oh-oh, whoa-oh-oh

I think you should know you saved my life.

I don't think you realize

What you've done for me

Oh, I don't think you realize

What a little love could mean.

Oh, you, you stay by my side

And you, you kept on the lights

And you knew just what to say

When I was fading.

Sometimes all that you need is

Someone who can believe in you

More than you do.

I was lost until I saw your halo

I was blind until I saw your Light

I believe, my Friend, we all have Angels

And You are Mine

I think you should know you saved my life.

Oh-oh-oh-oh, whoa-oh-oh

I think you should know you saved my life

Whoa-oh-oh-oh, whoa-oh-oh

I think you should know you saved my life.

I don't think you realize

What your words can do

Oh, the whole world was falling all around me

But I held on to you.

Oh, you, you stay by my side

And you, you kept on the Lights

And you knew just what to say

When I was fading.

Sometimes all that you need is

Someone who can believe in you

More than you do.

I was lost until I saw your halo

I was blind until I saw your Light

I believe, my Friend, we all have Angels

And You are Mine.

I think you should know you saved my life

Oh-oh-oh-oh, whoa-oh-oh

I think you should know you saved my life

(I was lost until I saw your halo)

Whoa-oh-oh-oh, whoa-oh-oh

(I was blind until I saw your Light)

I think you should know you saved my life

(I believe, my Friend, we all have Angels)

Whoa-oh-oh-oh, whoa-oh-oh

(And You are Mine)

I think you should know you saved my life.✨️❤️

A 'GUARDIAN ANGEL' WITH NOTHING TO DO✨️❤️

 

During the pandemic, I listened to a lot of 'online music shows'. Most of those musicians will always remain a 'Special Part of our Lives', because they sang for us, during a time, when we needed them most. I enjoyed all of them and will always be 'Thankful to them for the Music'. Many of those singers, have gone on to become very dear 'Friends like Family', after four years of knowing them; first virtually, and then actually meeting them 'in person' a few times.🤗💕 

One of the 'Music Shows', that I watched practically everyday 'non-stop' (with 'multiple repeats too') during those Covid times, was 'Jukebox Jammies'. The main reason was Carlton Braganza's fabulous voice and the fantastic 'Music Education' and Background Knowledge that we all got 'free of cost', (almost like a bonus) along with all the 'great singing' and the 'never ending laughs' by Carlton.🎶🎤

'True Love' from the classic movie 'High Society', was one of the many wonderful songs, that I first discovered on JJ, There were a couple of 'New Old Songs', in practically every session of Jukebox Jammies, that so many of us heard for the very first time on the shows, thanks to Carlton; because he just knows 'so many, many songs'.😊 

There are lots and lots of reasons for my 'deep admiration and genuine respect' for this 'Walking, Talking Jukebox'; but his contribution to helping me discover and learn so many more lovely songs, is one of the main reasons why JJ and this 'Guardian Angel', will always be 'Extra-Special'.✨️❤️

The first time I heard this song on JJ, was during the 'Friendship Day' session back in 2020. We got a whole 'History Lesson' about the song as well, which I loved.😄 The 'Stories' on JJ have always been my 'favourite part' of the shows. For me, all that 'Chit-Chat and Carlton's Endless Stories' are what set 'Jukebox Jammies' apart, from all the other shows. When we had no one to talk to us or to talk to, those stories 'kept us company' and made us feel 'a little less alone'. For that, no amount of Gratitude and Thank-You's, will ever be enough.🤗❤️ 

That is probably the reason why, thousands of people across the world, felt a 'Connection' with JJ. Even today, Carlton still feels and (I often get quite irritated when he) states, that he didn't do anything else, other than find a way to get rid of his own boredom, when he did those shows. What he fails to realise every time he says that, is that it may have been 'Nothing' to him, but it meant 'Something' to countless others. All his 'Non-Stop Nonsense' DID make a 'Big Difference', to people everywhere. People wouldn't say it to him constantly, if they didn't feel and mean it. 

'Jukebox Jammies' meant a lot, to people like us, who just needed someone to 'Be There' for them, during those times. It may have just been a way for him to pass the time, and may have not meant that much to him. If only he would realise, that it sure 'meant the world', to so many others, who had no one around, to listen to us or to keep us company.✨️ 

I really miss that now so much, because the JJ sessions, sadly don't happen too often these days.😔 

A year later, in 2021, we heard that same song, about 'You and I having a Guardian Angel, with nothing to do', once again on another JJ session. And I loved it, all over again.😊

Finally today, I watched the 'video clip' of the song from the movie; again because of a story that Carlton shared. I still haven't watched the movie 'High Society'; but I finally got to hear Grace Kelly and Bing Crosby singing the song in the film, almost four years after first hearing about it on JJ.🎶

Carlton may get fed-up of people like me, who are constantly re-living those same old memories and saying 'Thank-You' repeatedly, almost like a 'stuck record';🙈 but 'Experiences like JJ, don't happen to people every day', and when something and someone, means so much to you, you just can't stop yourself from 'remembering and joyfully reminiscing'.😊

...And I don't think, I'll ever get tired of saying 'Thank You Carlton'.✨️❤️

LOVE CHANGES EVERYTHING 🎶❤️

There are thousands and thousands of songs written about 'LOVE', probably because it is an 'Emotion' that is felt most strongly, among all human beings. Most of those songs are always filled with a lot of deep and intense 'Feelings', which are often so overpowering, that they always touch the hearts of those who are listening to the songs. That's why the great 'Love Songs' just last forever and ever, and people keep singing and hearing them for decades and generations.🎶

If you stop and think about it, there are so many different kinds of 'Love'. Ranging from the warmth and affection of a parent for their child or vice-versa, to the love between siblings, to cousins, grandparents and grandchildren, teachers and students, the love shared by close friends, neighbours you've grown up with, colleagues you've worked with for many, many years, to just about all kinds of bonds and friendships that we form along our 'Journey of Life'...The list is just endless.😊

Unfortunately, the world that we live in, looks at 'Love' in just one 'very standard and typecast' way; and that is reflected in most of the songs written about Love as well. So, very often when I've tried to look for more 'General Songs about Love', that do not speak about just 'Romantic Love' or Religious Songs about 'God's Love and Loving your neighbour', I haven't succeeded; because the fact is, people haven't written too many songs about 'other kinds of Love'. Probably, if I dig a little deeper and go searching through some really old 'Country Songs', I may find a few. But among the more popular songs, I think those 'Neutral Love Songs', would be rather difficult to find.🧐

Among the countless songs written about 'Love' though, there are many that are 'My Favourites'. But I've always loved this song 'Love Changes Everything', particularly because of the lyrics. The words are very meaningful. I like how it describes not just 'Love', but how 'Love changes people completely'. 

...And that is actually very true. A person's outlook, his or her personality, their behaviour, the way they look at life, the things they used to say and strongly believe in, at one point of time, their entire world-view, their perceptions about other people and even the way in which they interact with everyone else in their lives; everything alters and changes drastically, when they see the world through those 'rose-tinted glasses of Love'. Sometimes, those changes are for the better. At other times, sadly for the worse; especially when it makes friends and family, unsure and uncomfortable about what to say and how to act, around 'Two people in Love'.

One emotion, shouldn't really change a person so much; but the truth is, that it does.🤷

In the words of Andrew Lloyd Webber, 

'Love will never, never let you be the same.'❤️

LOVE CHANGES EVERYTHING 🎶❤️

- Andrew Lloyd Webber (Aspects of Love)

(Song Lyrics)

Love, Love changes everything

Hands and faces, earth and sky;

Love, Love changes everything

How you live and how you die.

Love can make the summer fly

Or a night seem like a lifetime;

Yes Love, Love changes everything

Now I tremble at your name,

Nothing in the world will ever be the same.

Love, Love changes everything

Days are longer, words mean more;

Love, love changes everything

Pain is deeper than before.

Love will turn your world around

And that world will last for ever;

Yes Love, Love changes everything

Brings you glory, brings you shame,

Nothing in the world will ever be the same.

Off into the world we go

Planning futures, shaping years;

Love bursts in and suddenly

All our wisdom disappears.

Love makes fools of everyone

All the rules we make are broken;

Yes Love, Love changes everyone

Live or perish in its flame.

Love will never, never let you be the same

Love will never, never let you be the same!✨️❤️

THE STORY OF MY LIFE ✍️

Just about a week ago, I went for a Children's Music Concert by a group called 'Gleehive', during which I heard a lot of very sweet 'Songs for Children', which I hadn't heard before. This was one of the songs that I really liked that day, probably because it talked about 'Writing down the Story of My Life'.✍️

So, I looked for the song online and discovered that it is from a 'Musical', that has been performed in various schools. There were so many versions of the song on YT, uploaded by different schools. I just picked one of those many performance videos, to share here. 

I loved the lyrics of the song. I think that's because, in some ways, it just reminded me of the 'Writer in Me', who always loves to put all my thoughts into words on a page; and I've been doing that, ever since I was a little girl in school. Some things, don't really change 'As Time Goes By'.😊

Like the words of the song say;

'I don't know where I'm going,

But I know where I've been...

...So, I'm Writing down the Story of My Life.'🎶

I'm also sharing another song from the same Musical, just because it is linked to the first song. This one is uploaded by someone else and not by the same Theatre Group as the first video.

I haven't seen the entire Musical; but just from listening to these two songs, I think that 'Top Secret Personal Beeswax' is actually a Journal or a Diary, in which the character in the Musical, writes down anything and everything she feels like, about all the wonderful Stories and Adventures in her life. 

Once again, the lyrics of the song are really sweet and cute.😊

Hearing these two songs, actually made me wish I was still in DB, so that we could stage this Musical with our kids. I guess, when you've done something for so many, many years, your brain automatically starts thinking about how a song or a play could be enacted and performed, when you see songs like these.

I don't even know what the entire story of the Musical is; but just hearing these two songs, I'm sure it must be a good one.😊

(I found another version of the two songs, which I'm just saving for myself to listen to later, because the lyrics are clearer in them.)

THE SINGER AND THE SONG ✨️🎶

THEY WILL FOREVER LIVE ON ✨️

...THE SINGER AND THE SONG 🎶✍️

They make words come alive,

And we hear each note, crystal clear;

They fill many a heart with gladness,

And even make eyes, brim with a tear.

Each voice strikes a chord within,

Every time a melody and vocal cords combine;

Even when sung differently, in unique styles,

Their magic touch, breathes life into every line.

Yes, the songs live on...they leave an imprint, no doubt,

But the voices that sing them, also always with us stay;

And as long as we remember, how the songs made us feel,

They will remain close to our hearts, and never be gone away.✨️❤️

(I wrote this on FB last year, on this day, 26th April' 2023.

I remember that I had accidentally stumbled on this Gaither song called 'You might forget the Singer, but you won't forget the Song', on that day.

These verses were 'my twist' on what I heard in the lyrics of that song; because even though the great 'Songs' live on and on, I think there are many, many awesome 'Singers', whose voices are remembered forever too. 

This one was for all the wonderful 'Singers' everywhere, and for the countless 'Songs' they've sung.)😊🎶

MAGIC IS THE MOONLIGHT ✨️🎶

 

Looking out of my window, right before I could fall asleep tonight, I found the moon brightly smiling down on me, in all its beauty and splendour.😊 

It's such a wonderful thing, that people in any part of the globe, no matter how far apart they may be from one another, could be looking up at the moon, from wherever they are, at exactly the same time; and it would look just the same, to everyone.

Maybe, the Moon is also a reminder to us, that our loved ones, are always watching down on us, from above.✨️

This made me think of two of my 'All Time Favourite Moon Songs'. 🎶 So, even though I already shared a couple of posts earlier today, I thought I would post another one, just because I happened to catch sight of the 'Full Moon' tonight...It's technically the next day already, anyway.😄

MOON RIVER 🎶

- Audrey Hepburn

'Waiting round the bend

My Huckleberry Friend

Moon River and Me.'✨️❤️

BLUE MOON 🎶

-Rod Stewart

Lots of people have sung this song, but I really liked this version of the song, when I first heard it, especially the introductory lines.😊

SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE ✨️🎶

Carlton Braganza sings those low notes in so many of the Jim Reeves songs really well.❤️

This one is like a beautiful, soothing lullaby, that could almost make you fall asleep, if you listened to it a few times.😴

THE NIGHT WATCH 🎶 (Song Lyrics)

- Jim Reeves

Bright stars are watching the world as it sleeps 🌟
Shepherds watch over the little white sheep 🐑
The Lighthouse is shining for ships far at sea  🌊
As God keeps the night watch for you and for me. 💕

So sleep, sleep in peace and rest 💤
Don't be afraid of the darkness ✨️
All's well for over the land and the sea 🌊
God's keeping the night watch for you and for me. 🎶

FEELINGS OF LOVE ✨️❤️

 

Songs truly have the ability to magically make people 'Feel'.✨️ There are so many, many songs, like this first one by 'Adele', that have been listened to by crores of listeners...and those are only the numbers, that I can see on YT. Popular songs like these, are probably listened to by millions of people across the world, on other music streaming platforms as well. 

There can only be 'One Reason' for this. People everywhere feel a 'Connection' with the Lyrics, the Melody or the Video. Maybe, they identify with it, because it strikes a chord somewhere; or it probably just 'Makes them Feel the Love'.❤️

What an amazing 'Feeling' it must be, for the 'Creators' of songs like these, from the lyricists, to the composers, the singers, the musicians and the entire technical team, that works on putting a song into the world; when they see millions of people across different continents, making that same 'Connection', with a Song, which they contributed to creating. Truly Magical!✨️

MAKE YOU FEEL MY LOVE 🎶

- Adele

...And then, there are Songs like these, by evergreen singers like Dean Martin and Jim Reeves, whose voices and the tunes they sang, just last 'Forever'. The Creators and Singers of the songs are not even alive anymore; but these melodies have stood the test of time and outlived the ones who created and sang them.🎶

IN THE MISTY MOONLIGHT 🎶

- Dean Martin

I like to imagine that the 'Singers', probably look down on the Earth from the skies above and Smile, each time someone still sings or plays their melodies, so many years after they have left this world.😊

...BECAUSE YOU'RE YOU 🎶

- Jim Reeves

I'm happy to have Friends, who make this 'Wonder of the Unforgettable, Everlasting Songs' come alive, each time they sing or play these tunes on stage or during their online shows (especially the ones that I have listened to a lot, during the last four years, like Jukebox Jammies. That's where I heard these three songs again last night, among many others.) 

JJ truly was the 'Best Thing' to happen to so many of us, during the pandemic.That show has definitely played a big role in increasing my knowledge of music, because Carlton Braganza is really an 'Encyclopedia of Songs'. I have never met anyone, who can sing practically any song under the sun, across genres and eras, and often sing them, even without any practice. It's mind-boggling sometimes, how his brain even remembers so many countless melodies. That's why I often say, that Carlton is almost like my 'Music Teacher', and one of the best I've ever had too.😊

It really is great to have people in our lives, who share that same 'Love for Songs' as us, because of whom we occasionally get a chance, to enjoy these songs together, even from afar; and with whom, we can share that same 'Joy and the Magic', that Music brings to all our lives.✨️🎶

YOU WILL BE FOUND ✨️🎶

 

Meaningful songs can 'Uplift Spirits' and make you feel a lot better instantly. Your situation may still be exactly the same as it was, before you listened to the song; but in some strange way, it alters the way you feel, at least for a little while. 

That's the 'Magic of Music'.✨️ It can make you feel like 'You will be Found', even when you are still completely 'Lost', in your own solitary world and in that extremely tangled maze, of your overly confused thoughts. Of course you know, that it's 'Not Real'; but often, going as far away from reality as possible, is far better than the truth of our everyday existence.

YOU WILL BE FOUND 🎶

- One Voice Children's Choir (Dear Evan Hansen)

The lyrics of a beautiful song (like this one, from the Musical 'Dear Evan Hansen' covered by these young voices, from the 'One Voice Children's Choir'), can fool you into believing that someone is around, singing that melody to you; even when you're actually listening to it, all by yourself. 

It can pick you up, when you're feeling low and re-assure you, right when you need to hear a voice, whispering a few words of comfort in your ear. When you find the right song, it's almost like that tight, warm hug, that you have really missed and longed for. You can hear someone saying 'Just the right words' that you need to hear, exactly when you need it most of all.😊 

YOU'RE NEVER ALONE 🎶

- Jim Brickman (featuring Lady Antebellum)

That's what I love about songs like these. (This is another very uplifting and reassuring song by Jim Brickman, featuring Lady Antebellum.) They 'Create an Illusion', of your loved ones being there for you, even when they're not. In some mysterious way, you almost feel like the person you miss most, is singing the song to you; and that, makes you feel like 'You're Never Alone', even when you are.🎶

NOT MY FAVOURITE WORD ✍️

 

For the first four years of my life, my Dad worked in another country. I was just a toddler back then. So, I actually don't have any recollection of that time at all. But, seeing how little babies yell and scream their lungs out, each time their parents leave the home or when they have to be left with a baby-sitter; I guess, I must've done exactly the same, whenever he left. Somewhere in my sub-conscious memory, having to say those frequent 'Goodbyes' during my earliest years (even when I didn't understand it), must have got recorded, registered and saved.

Later on in life, at frequent intervals, literally once or twice in every decade, I had to say more 'Permanent Farewells', to close family members; from a sibling, to Grandparents, a couple of uncles and aunts, a cousin, and then my Parents too. Sadly, 'Those Goodbye's were Forever' and could never be reversed.😢

To add to that, I spent half my life working as a Secondary School Teacher; and so, year after year, one entire batch of X Std. students left us, as they prepared to 'spread their wings and fly'. When you teach children for six long years, it's not the easiest thing to watch them leave and journey on, in search of 'New Horizons'. Once again, one would presume that this got easier over time, because you just get used to it; but the 'Class 10 Farewell Day' was always a difficult day for me to get through, every single year.😔

So slowly, I kind of began to dislike the fact that people had to always leave and go away, (whether temporarily or permanently) for whatever reasons. Consequently, I'm really 'not very fond of Goodbyes'. 

When 'Frequent Flyers' (among Friends and Family), who are kind of 'Born with Wings' and whose Work or Love for Travel and Adventure, makes them spend more time in those 'Blue Skies', than they do on the ground; I somehow just don't understand their desire and need to constantly 'Go Away', at all. 'I Wonder Why' they're always so anxious to leave Home, Family, Friends and everyone who would prefer that they could 'Always Be Close By', instead of going off 'wandering' so frequently.🤔

Maybe, for some individuals like Sportsmen, Media Professionals, Musicians, Businessmen, Seafarers, Airline Crew and many, many others, it probably would be the demand and requirement of their Job. For others, they may just be bitten by the 'Travel Bug', which fills them with an insatiable desire to go off, to 'Far Away Places' all the time.🌎

I guess, each of us is created uniquely and differently. Every one of our Lives, our Hopes, Dreams, Wishes and Desires, have also been shaped differently, due to our various 'Interests and  Life Experiences'. That's probably what makes our 'Outlook on Life and the Choices we make', different from one another.🤷

People say, 'Time Heals' and 'Loss only makes you stronger'. Maybe, for some it does; but through my experience, I've learnt that it only makes you more 'Aware' of the complete 'Uncertainty and Unpredictability of Life'. It teaches you to 'Live in the Moment' and to almost make 'One Day at a Time', your motto.

Unfortunately, when 'So Long, Farewell' is not just a song from a Musical that you love, when you have had to say it, with a steadily recurring frequency, and when you have been forced to bid adieu to 'Every Significant Person' in your life, by the age of 38, 'GOODBYE' definitely becomes your 'Least Favourite Word of all time'; and you end up longing and wishing, that instead of everyone always leaving and going away, people who are dear to you, for once, would just 'STAY'.✨️✍️

(On some days, my posts may seem a little incoherent, disjointed and all over the place. I guess, that's just me, 'Thinking out Loud'. My very random 'Fruit Salad' of Thoughts and Memories, lots of Rambling, Reflecting and Pondering; and kind of, 'all tied together with a Song' by 'BLUE', that I found, called 'NO GOODBYES'.🎶 

If only, that were really possible in Life, and the word 'Goodbye' didn't exist at all; then those close loved ones, that I miss most 'Every Single Day', would still be right here with me, instead of 'Somewhere up there in the clouds'.)✨️

(I may not be too fond of the word 'Goodbye'; but it sure has inspired some lovely songs, like this one, from the animated film, 'An American Tail'.

'SOMEWHERE OUT THERE' 🎶

By Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram.)✨️❤️

LOVE SONG TO THE EARTH ✨️❤️

For close to two decades, one of the things I did regularly, all year round, was writing short skits for School Assemblies and longer scripts for School Annual Days.✍️ One of the things that went hand in hand with that, was finding the perfect and most appropriate songs, with meaningful lyrics, that would highlight and bring out the chosen 'Theme' in the best way.🎶

Although this was technically part of my job, for me, it was much more than that; simply because it enabled me to combine my love for 'Writing, Music and the Performing Arts' with my work. I enjoyed every moment of it thoroughly. When your work provides you with countless opportunities to do all the things you Love, every single day, it makes each day fun. I remember often telling my students that 'If you do a job you Love, you never have to work a day in your Life.' To me, Being a Teacher, was a lot like that...And the moment it stopped being all those 'happy things', I knew I had to step away.🤷

Anyway, a couple of times during those many, many happy years of doing all the things I loved (and got to call it 'Work'), we chose Themes based on the 'Environment and Caring for Creation'. I discovered this song, during one of those never-ending quests, to find 'Just the right Song', and I loved it instantly.😊🎶

 

LOVE SONG TO THE EARTH ✨️❤️

(Song Lyrics)

This is an open letter
From you and me together
Tomorrow's in our hands now
Find the words that matter
Say them out loud
And make it better somehow

… Looking down from up on the moon
It's a tiny blue marble
Who'd have thought the ground we stand on
Could be so fragile

… This is a Love Song to the Earth
You're no ordinary World
A Diamond in the Universe
Heaven's poetry to us
Keep it safe, yeah, yeah
Keep it safe, yeah, yeah
Keep it safe, yeah, yeah
'Cause it's our world
It's Our World.

… It's not about possessions, money or religion
How many years we might live
When the Only Real Question that matters is still
A Matter of Perspective

… Looking down from up on the moon
You're a tiny blue marble
Who'd have thought the ground we stand on
Could be so fragile.

… This is a Love Song to the Earth
You're no ordinary World
A Diamond in the Universe
Heaven's poetry to us
Keep it safe, yeah, yeah
Keep it safe, yeah, yeah
Keep it safe (Keep Mama Earth Safe)
'Cause it's Our World.

It's Our World (pree bang bang bang bang)
… See mama earth is in a crazy mess
It's time for us to do our best
From deep sea straight up to Everest
She's under crazy stress
Unless you wanna be motherless

… Clean Heart, Green Heart
It's the way, I stress
Speediness, and too much greediness
Six billion people all want plentiness
(It's Our World)
Some people think this is harmless
(It's Our World)
But if we continue,
There'll only be emptiness
Oh, no-no-no-no

… This is a Love Song to the Earth
You're no ordinary World
A Diamond in the Universe
Heaven's poetry to us
Keep it safe, yeah, yeah
Keep it safe, yeah, yeah
Keep it safe, yeah, yeah (special paradise)
Let's keep it safe.

… This is a Love Song to the Earth
You're no ordinary World
Diamond in the Universe
Heaven's poetry to us
Keep it safe, yeah, yeah
Keep it safe, yeah, yeah
Keep it safe, yeah, yeah

… It's our world (keep it safe)
It's our world
It's our world
It's our world
'Cause it's Our World.💙🌎💚

(Sharing another video of the same song, with the lyrics.)✍️

THE WHYS AND WHEREFORES ✍️

 

Strangers or relatively Newer Friends,

Are more comfortable to be around;

For they ask fewer questions,

As they really know, no background.

Minimal words are exchanged,

At every casual meet and greet;

Just ordinary, routine conversations,

When you catch up on the street.

Forever Friends and Family,

Are 'Special', there is no doubt;

They've been a part of every Story,

So expressing Love, they can't do without.

But with concern, come a dozen queries

A strong desire to remember days gone by;

'Memories' are great and keep me company,

Those 'Reminders', just leave me asking 'Why'?

I wish you could understand, my reasons to stay away,

From familiar people and paths, that journey back;

Ever Grateful to be blest, with loved ones who Care

But re-living moments needs 'Courage', which I still truly lack. ✍️

NO EXPECTATION, NO DISAPPOINTMENT! ✍️

Over the last couple of weeks, I found myself interacting with a couple of 'not close, but old friends', and engaging in extremely long conversations with them. The more 'Reclusive Me' of today, actually doesn't do this too often, for a few years now, simply because I don't seem to 'Connect' with people anymore, in the way that I used to. Yes, I meet a few friends occasionally, at events and just here and there; but those meetings generally don't involve 'heart to heart' chats, and are more mundane interactions, about 'everything and nothing in particular', if at all.

I guess, the reason why I actually took the time to 'Sit and Talk' to someone, was the kind of similar 'Experience of Loss' that we've had in life. That's probably why, I found myself really 'Talking', way more than I do with anyone, these days.

It's strange how much you can find to talk about, when you go through the same day to day difficulties, challenges and situations. I guess, long chats like those, are helpful and eye-opening to people on both sides of the conversation. Not only do they help to release the stress and strain of pent-up and bottled up feelings and emotions, that you haven't talked about often; because other people in your life, even close friends and family, just don't understand. It's difficult for people 'to feel what you feel', even if they mean well and have your best interests at heart. 

Most normal people, are always on this 'stupid quest', to 'pull you out' of what they think is 'Depression', or just being 'Caught up in the Past', or not 'Letting Go'. I absolutely detest friends and family, when they make suggestions like these; because 'I'm never going to Let Go'. My Memories are everything to me and without them, I have nothing. So instead, I automatically and very happily 'Let Go' of anyone, who ever tells me to do that...But that's one of the reasons why, interactions with friends and family, who supposedly know me well or for longer, always reach a dead-end, very quickly.

Over the last few years, I've realised that talking to a person who has 'experienced what you have' and gone through themselves, is always a better idea, than talking to 'just about any friend or loved one'; because they really 'Get It'. They 'Know' the feelings, they 'Understand' the pain, they 'Live it Everyday', just like you.

Chats like these are filled with a lot of emotion, memories, tears and are 'too heavy' for ordinary people to handle; simply because they are 'So Real' and not frivolous and meaningless, like most 'one minute interactions' on social media these days. It takes a 'Special kind of Courage' to go through certain things, and not everyone can 'Understand or Comprehend that Journey'.

I'm 'Grateful' for these very unexpected opportunities, to be able to spend some time both 'Talking and Listening' to Friends, who are kind of, 'sailing in the same boat' as me, in a lot of ways. Sharings like these, help us realise that we are 'Not Alone' in our everyday struggles, and there are lots of other people around us, who go through exactly the same things. In some way, there is more 'Comfort' in talking to people like these, even though they are not your 'Closest Friends or Family'; than it is, talking to people that you should 'at least technically', be more comfortable talking to, because they are closer to you. 

The biggest take away for me, from these very 'heartfelt conversations', is the countless 'Life Lessons' we all picked up along the way. One of the things that I have discovered over the years, is that 'Each person finds their own ways to cope with loss; and no two coping strategies are right or wrong'. The most important lesson though, is something that I have been pondering on, for a couple of years now. 'No Expectation, No Disappointment!' 

Most of the time, we feel unhappy about situations because we expect things to happen in a particular way, and they don't. But, that's just the way life is. It never goes the way we want it to. We often get upset at people, especially the ones who are close to us, because we expect them to act and behave in a certain way, and when they don't, it disturbs us terribly. It distorts the way in which we look at friends and family; when people's responses are not in line with, our desires and our expectations of them. 

The root cause of our disappointments, are not so much their actions and behaviour; but what we expected them to say or how we expected them to act. But people are not puppets and we cannot always expect them to do and say things, according to what we have in mind. I have realised, that the simplest way to overcome the unhappiness caused, when we are disappointed in people, is not to expect too much of anyone. It's not the easiest thing for our very emotional, human minds and hearts to do. But I guess, it does relieve a lot of the stress, when we make an attempt to look at life in that slightly 'Disconnected' way. ✨️✍️

THREE'S A CROWD ✍️

 

Have you ever been made to feel like an unnecessary and unwanted 'third wheel' in a conversation, a friendship, your workplace, in a group or even in a family? I guess, it's not uncommon for people to sometimes treat friends and loved ones, like they're 'excess baggage' or like they shouldn't have been there at all, in the first place. 

Nothing hurts more, than being 'sidelined and left out' by people that you really care about. It's a feeling of 'abandonment' like no other, when friends or colleagues, that you consider to be family, or maybe your real family too, behave like you don't even exist anymore.

If it is done on purpose, it is extremely 'heartless'; irrespective of what the 'reasons' for their actions may have been. But even if one is oblivious to how they've treated another, and they've done it 'unknowingly', they cannot be forgiven easily, for making another person feel like they 'don't even belong'.

I guess, for a lot of people it's fairly easy to make others feel like 'Three's a Crowd'. But over time, one of the many lessons that life has taught me, is that people only truly 'Understand', when they go through similar 'Life Experiences' themselves. Till then, they don't even realise or think about the fact, that their words or lack of it, their actions and behaviour, could really affect someone else adversely or cause deep anguish and pain.

But that's how Life is. We meet all kinds of people everyday; and through every interaction, we learn something. Not everyone is happy to have us around; but the ones who know how 'Special' we are, are the people that are the 'Real Blessings' in our lives.✨️✍️

STUCK ON YOU ✍️

Too far away to ever return,

That's where they have all gone;

'Come Back Soon', my 'Forever Wish',

With longing, yearning, holding on.😢

'Stay! Don't Go! Wait right here!',

They didn't hear me, when I said;

In an instant, they just marched along,

To their bright 'New Life', up ahead.✨️

Everyone has to go there one day,

Part of Fate, Destiny, God's Divine Plan;

Nothing 'Hopeful Souls' may say or do,

Could ever increase that fixed Life-Span.😔

Still, a 'Heart filled with Love' always Dreams,

Wonders if she could have some 'Magical Super-Glue',

To ensure that her Co-Travellers, stick around, stay close,

But how to make it happen, she truly has no clue.✍️

  

PERCEPTIONS ✍️

There's a reason for anything that happens in life

Situations, Actions, Behaviours

Those who perceive it

Understand

Those who don't

Judge

Like the story of the blind men and the elephant

It's just a matter of perception.✍️

(Just a random thought that I originally posted on FB last year on this day, 11th April' 2023.)

Stumbled upon a song today, that seems like just the right song for this post. So, am sharing it here. Something to ponder on, for those people who habitually derive pleasure and joy, from taunting, mocking, laughing, all at another person's expense. 

How could harsh words that bring pain and tears to one pair of eyes; fill others with absolute joy and be the cause of hearty laughter?🤔 If only people realised, how much those rude darts, very ruthlessly aimed at another, (either directly or indirectly), could hurt someone else, demoralize another or crush the spirit of a person; people would think twice before being 'mean'. 

We don't always know the other person's story. We don't always realise why people act in a particular way, however strange or peculiar it may be...But there's always a reason.

If only people put themselves in the other person's shoes and stopped to think, 'What if that person at the receiving end of those darts, was me?'

A MILLION TIMES AND MORE ✍️

 

A wandering mind

Constantly traversing

Forever on the go;

But it wanders back

To that one place,

A million times and more.

Seeking eyes

Always searching

Looking for meaning each day;

And they find what they seek

In that one place,

A million times and more.

A restless heart

Love overflowing

It knows where it belongs;

So it circles around

To that one place,

A million times and more.✍️

...BECAUSE I KNEW YOU ✨️✍️

 

An evening filled with Nostalgic Memories and lots and lots of Music. So many Rockstar Musicians on stage and innumerable music loving friends in the audience too. What could be better!🎶

Mrs.Blanche Viegas was a Piano Teacher loved by all her students. I didn't know her personally; but I remember that my Mum used to speak about her family sometimes, and one of her sons used to conduct the Choir in our Parish, decades ago too.

So, when I heard that there was a Memorial Concert in her honour, I wanted to go for it. The fact that I had a few friends singing in the 'Living Voices' Choir, conducted by her daughter, Blossom Mendonca, was an added incentive to go for the show. Of course, when you meet many, many friends, who also happen to be in the audience like you, it has to be a very happy day.😊

There were lots of special moments during the concert. Such beautiful songs were picked. ...And getting to hear someone play the 'Pedal Harp' was just amazing. But what I loved most was seeing how her students have become such accomplished musicians and performers. The anecdotes and stories, that these well-known and much loved musicians, shared about their Piano Teacher, which were filled with warmth and heartfelt Gratitude, were truly so lovely to hear.❤️

As a teacher, it really gave me so much joy to see how far her students had reached; and how wonderfully, they remember her 'still', even though she isn't here anymore. Her legacy lives on in each of them.✨️

At the Finale of the show, they played a song that I had heard a year ago, and loved from the first moment that I listened to it. I was so happy that they had chosen that song. Am sharing it here today. It's from the Musical - Wicked. This is a lovely duet of 'For Good', by Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel.😊

SINGING YOU THROUGH ✨️🎶

 

At some time during the pandemic, because I used to listen to lots and lots of music, I discovered the United States Navy Band. I think I first heard a couple of their very humourously presented Christmas Carols, which I enjoyed; and then, I went on to listen to many of their other songs too. It is quite amazing to see how so many of these soldiers, are such talented singers and musicians.🎶

I guess, that's a common feature among the Police and Armed Forces here in India too, because I have had the good fortune of listening to some really great musicians from the Police and Armed Forces Bands here, a few times; and they are very good.

So, I thought I would share two songs from the United States Navy Band YT page. The first one is a cover of a beautiful song by Heather Nova called 'Singing You Through'. It is such an uplifting and comforting song. I love the very meaningful words, the melody and the awesome harmonies, which they've added to the song also.✨️

I'm sharing the second song, just because I love Disney songs. It's from the animated movie 'Moana', called 'How Far I'll Go'. I always love how Disney makes the songs in their films, such an integral part of the story. The line where the sky meets the sea, calling out to Moana, together with the steadily building tempo of the song, conveys her sense of adventure and longing to move beyond the island, so well. Disney songs have always been my favourite, and whenever I hear them anywhere, it takes me back to the film instantly.😊

 

NOT JUST WORDS IN A SONG ✨️✍️

RIGHT HERE WITH YOU ✨️🎶 

They Uplift

They Motivate

They Comfort

They Strengthen

They often show me the way 

Tell me where to go,

They keep me company

Through paths, I don't know.

It may seem strange, to look to a song

For solace and comfort;

But born out of another's experience,

They kind of understand pain and hurt.💞

I WILL BE RIGHT HERE ✨️🎶

Songs and Music have never been 'Just Songs' to me. They're way more than mere tunes and melodies. They've always meant a lot more than 'Just Words', that someone put together creatively. 

Every song is born out of someone's 'Life Experience'. It is someone's feelings of hurt, loss, anguish, pain, joy, happiness and a range of different human emotions, put into words and a melody.🎶✍️

I think, when people love a song or a singer, it's not simply because of their voice or their persona. Those are only external factors and don't really mean that much. The actual 'Connect' happens because of the 'Magic' that the Music and Lyrics work, when they blend together melodiously and beautifully.  It's the words of the songs they sing, that strike chords, make people feel loved and a little less alone, uplift a broken soul, motivate people to 'Keep Going, No Matter What'.😊 

WHEN YOU BELIEVE ✨️🎶 

Always Grateful for the songs that help me 'Believe'. For songs that repeatedly tell me 'Don't Give Up'. Songs that keep me company and hold my hand, whenever I need a friend. Songs that make me feel like someone is always there, even when no one is.

To You, it may be 'Just a Song'. 

To Me, it's what brings a small 'Ray of Hope' to a dark and hopeless world, and what adds just a little meaning and sense to a restless, meaningless Life.✨️❤️

[Have shared some Olivia Newton-John songs, (uploaded by other listeners on YT) with this post, simply because I love listening to them. The lyrics of many of her songs have often comforted and lifted me up. I hope they do the same for someone else, who may listen to them as well.]😊 

MAYBE SOMEDAY✍️

 

Maybe someday we will understand 

Why things happen as they do;

The difficult to accept reality of life

Possible answers, somewhere up in the blue.

Maybe someday we will realise 

Why so many people come our way;

Each leaving an indelible mark

In our hearts, forever they stay.

Maybe someday we will comprehend

Why life never follows a scheduled plan;

Every moment, an unforseen tomorrow

Another day, to be lived as best we can.

Maybe someday we will grasp

Why this world, like a riddle we must solve;

Complexities galore, new lessons to learn

With each uncertain step, slowly we grow, we evolve.✨️✍️

(I wrote this one on FB, last year on this day, 4th April '2023.

Maybe someday, life's many complex riddles, will make more sense to me...🤔

...But not today!)