This Reminds Me

Archive for the ‘Music’ Category

When I was a teenager, I was occasionally allowed to snap a few pictures with my mom’s Kodak flash-cube marvel.   Like this stunning shot of Ted Kennedy on an escalator.  Yes, it’s really him.

I won an essay content my senior year of high school.  The prize?  A Close-up trip to Washington D.C.    Omigosh.  I hate crying.  But bawled when I saw the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution in the National Archives.  Wanted to bawl when I saw Ted Kennedy – though for different reasons.

Lois – age 15 – created an anime video for a convention competition coming to San Antonio next week.  She pulled images off the internet, and combined them with music to create this “Everything You Want.”

Yeah Lois!  Hope you win, too.  Though regardless – you are better than I ever dreamed of being.  You’re everything I want, baby girl.

We celebrated our third Sister’s Day today, remembering when Julia came home from Russia and became not only our daughter, but also the sister of Rachel, Lois and Hannah.  That sibling relationship and subsequent attachment has been every bit as important as her relationship and subsequent attachment to Keith and me.  We were a “unit” before she arrived; we weren’t interested in just adding another child.  We wanted to expand our family – all of it.  So while most adoptive families celebrate “Gotcha Day,” we celebrate “Sister’s Day,” in whatever fashion (within reason) the girls choose.

The girls chose lunch at Chili’s, followed the new movie Up, then a trip to Borders.    Up chronicled the adventure of an elderly man and a young boy discovering the real meaning of family in a foreign country.  Rachel, Lois and Hannah cried.  I could have.   It’s just a great movie, and perfect for today.  I particularly related to a scene where the elderly man reads a newly-discovered wish from his much-treasured, deceased bride:  “Thanks for the adventure.  Now go have another.”   Keith and I had ours in St. Petersburg three years ago, called by God, and spurred by the thought that we didn’t want to lament on our death beds, “Oh, I wish I had…..”

Rachel got a special “Chicken Soup for the Soul Celebrates Sisters” book to mark her upcoming graduation, inscribed by each sister – including Julia.  Who, by the way (and surely not to brag) was rated “Advanced – High” or “Advanced” on every category of her end-of-school-year Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System” examination. 

Hannah surprised each sister – plus Keith and me – with handmade cards and a chocolate treat in each.  Julia waited about 10 seconds to scarf the Nestle’s Crunch bar.

Today was special at church, too, with Senior Sunday, and Rachel’s recognition with other graduating high schoolers.

Part of the recognition at church included a slide show with “way back” pictures of each graduate.  Rachel and I included this one, to surprise Keith – whose beard might have been a little scary to his firstborn.

The Shearer Hills Baptist Church Youth Choir led us in worship today, too.  That’s Lois in black on the far right, then friend Brooke and Rachel.  and Hannah half-hidden behind Rachel.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

I thank my God when I remember you

For he has blessed my life with yours

In every prayer of mine for you

I’m filled with joy for I hold you

I hold you in my heart.

And yes, girls – I do thank my God when I remember you, for he has blessed my life with yours.  In every prayer of mine for you, I’m filled with joy, for I hold you in my heart.

I love all four of you.  Happy Sister’s Day.   xoxoxo yo mama

I hate to cry.  Always have.  But this time next year, I’m planning a nose-blowing, eye-wiping blubber fest when Hannah last performs with the Bush Middle School choir.  For the final song of the school year – “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” – alumni join the graded choirs on stage.  Like Rachel and Lois tonight.

I first experienced this beautiful blending in 2003 with sixth-grader Rachel.  I’ve missed two performances.  In 2005, Keith called me on his cell (discreetly hidden in his lap) so I could harmonize in a lonely Chicago hotel room.  In 2006, we were in Russia.

My three favorite altos, on the end in the back – as Woodworths often are.  The seven-part “Amen” speaks to my soul.

It’d be nice to think Julia might join the choir in a few years, but – as Keith so aptly commented during a road trip when all four girls were singing – “So, you think art for Julia in middle school?”

Until next May, choir – The Lord bless you and keep you, too.   I’ll see you then.  And you’ll see a big wad of Kleenex catching eight years of memories.

Welcome to This Reminds Me!

I’ve enjoyed hand-created cards, paperweights, refrigerator magnets, list holders and coupon books.  But never – before now – a song.

When Lois was little and the middle of our original three girls, she and I shared a “secret.”  I would whisper to her, “You’re in the middle, and I’m in the middle.”  And she’d respond, “You’re by Judy and David, and I’m by Rachel and Hannah.”

You’re in the middle and I’m in the middle and that’s where we want to be

You’re in the middle and I’m in the middle and that’s where we want to be

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Mom, look at what you’ve done

Look at what you’ve done for us today

Mom, we’ll never know how much you gave away for us

Mom we may not know it but you love us more than you say

Mom it’s all we can do to tell you today “Happy Mother’s Day”

You’re in the middle and I’m in the middle and that’s where we want to be

You’re in the middle and I’m in the middle and that’s where we want to be

And I truly am right in the middle of where I want to be.

And Happy Mother’s Day.