Something on the Lighter Side

Posted on May 2, 2012by apronheadlilly

Light my way, Lord,
’cause I don’t know where I am.
I’ve been falling, and my hands and knees are sore.
And it seems that I’m tired and hungry and so cold,
let me lean on You–I don’t want to try anymore.
I will trust in You and be at peace;
even though my faith is small, I ‘m very sure
that You’re holding my hand, and I don’t need to fear;
let me always find You’ll be there all the time.
~from my album Lilly 1974

Daddy, You're Not Alone

(This song was written for my father during one of his critical hospital stays.  He passed away January 15, 2008, and I miss him.)

1. I know you never thought it would be like this,
You never thought you’d be so weak.
Never thought you’d be dependent.
I know through all the years when you felt so strong,
It must’ve never crossed your mind
That you’d face this moment.

Chorus:
In these midnight hours, I know it hurts.
In the pain and tears, you’ve got to wonder what it’s all worth;
But remember you’re not alone.
Even through the blackest night,
Even through the deepest water,
Daddy, you’re not alone.
You are in the arms of God,
Loved by your Heavenly Father.

2. I guess I never thought it would be like this.
Never thought you’d grow so old,
Always thought you’d be my shelter.
And it never crossed my mind when you walked so tall
That your world could shrink so small;
I kinda thought you’d live here forever.

Coda:  “Daddy, you’re almost home.
             And Daddy, you’re not alone.”

Lilly 2-02

Lay Your Head Down Here

Here is another song from my son in China.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AU2ntDIgYQU

Blogspot sounds like a disease . . .

Blogspot sounds like a childhood disease, and Wordpress sounds like it should produce some sort of gourmet espresso.  What is this fascination with blogging that turns academics and everyday housewives, factory workers and retired grandparents, to poets and essayists?  What intoxicating bit of technology is this that reawakens dreams in faltering souls—that even they may have something worthwhile to contribute to a wide world that is glutted with information, entertainment, and trivia? 

What if while walking in the mall a stranger came up to me, pressed a finger to my head and said, “Like,” followed by a few more random strangers and a few other slightly familiar faces.   What if others shared something personal about their lives that seemed to parallel mine, ending with a smiley face firmly planted on my back . . . pat, pat, pat!  I would call mall security! 

If in that same mall, I held up one of my treasured photographs for the approval of myriad strangers, they would think me odd and much too self-obsessed.  Or they may think it was to attract attention because what I really am selling is Amway.  Yet what do we do every day—we who populate this teeming trafficked web? 

With all our technology, with all our education, with all the potentiality, our culture muffles authentic communication.  The music, the video games, the radio, and the TV fill us up and drown out the slightest whispers.  And there is no more room even for comfortable silences.  There is no more room for responses to crafted words or appreciation for our thoughts and prayers.  We who rub shoulders with so many in virtual and unvirtual ways still experience isolation.

So in this strange way, we risk exposure in a sometimes scary world because blogging gives a voice to the voiceless and sends bread out on the water to see if anything will come back.

Are we searching for empty affirmation from strangers or is it a reach for community?  Is it because we really do need each other that we stretch toward the unknown to share that aha moment?

"Portrait on the Wall"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otwZkoiqWsE