You Are My Sunshine

I don't remember exactly why it started - or what triggered it, but when Jarod was born I would hum or sing "You are my sunshine" to him while I rocked him or soothed him in any way.  I would change the words a little as he got older to "You are my Jarod, my only Jarod" - you get the picture.  It became my "go to" song any time we were having those sweet, cuddly moments.  He would wiggle when I tried to cut his nails and I would sing the sunshine song and he would hold completely still and listen.  My heart melted and I cried - because that's what I do - when he was old enough and attempted to sing with me the first time. 

When Anne was born, 5 years later, I did the same thing.  Same song.  Same sweetness.  "You are my Anne Girl, my only Anne Girl.  You make me happy when skies are gray.  You'll never know Anne how much Mommy loves you.  Please don't take my Anne Girl away." 

Doesn't that put a lump in your throat? 

Okay - well it does me.

I again continued to sing this to her as she grew and used it when I would trim her nails or need to to be still for something.  Or when we would just snuggle.

Tonight we had our annual Senior Adult Soup and Sing at the church.  We bring soup, have a time of serving and honoring our Senior Adults, and bring in someone to play the guitar and sing with them.  Perry Hopper was our "singer" tonight and he took requests.  Someone requested "You are my Sunshine".  Russ looks at me - Jarod rolls his eyes (because now he's 12 - even though I saw a little smile behind his smirk). And of course mine get a little misty thinking back when my kids were babies. 

Anne was in another room playing with some friends.  I didn't even know she could hear the singing. She came running into the room to hear it - that made me smile.  After the song was over she turned and said, "I had to come in and listen - I told Blake and Preston  - that's the song my mom sings when she cuts my toe nails!"

UGH!!!!  (Banging my head on the table)

At least I made some impression, right?