I sang this excellent song every night to her for a number of years. "Sing Doffin, Daddy..." (If you don't know Firefall, imagine a nice, soft, folk-rock sort of groove, light on the rock) Ironically, it became a favorite song of mine back when I was a miscreant frat boy @ the U. of FL. (note: It is absolutely NOT true that all frat boys are miscreants! But I was. I was one before I was a frat boy and after too. Note also that the Lord graciously & lovingly drew me back on course.) Back then, I actually used to imagine singing it to my yet unborn children a couple of years before I even met Lisa. I still remember looking out over Lake Alice across the street from the house, singing this song, & dreaming. (I sang other Firefall songs too, but this one got to me even then.)
Dolphin's Lullaby - Firefall
Close your weary eyes & drift away; It's alright
I'll be here until the break of day closes the night.
I will sing a lullaby they sang to me when I was just your size.
Just a simple moment, a melody, to close those sleepy eyes.
And then--fast forwarding through a lot--the dream was fulfilled when this little guy came along who looked--looks--a lot like me. After a move to Hattiesburg, this beautiful little girl came along who looked--looks--like her mother and my mother, odd as that seems (she also acts like me quite often, which is sad for her...). I was about 2 feet away from her when she drew her first breath.
Whoa...singing dolphins over the ocean
Where it's clear and it's green
Help the waves with your gentle motion
Rock this child to sleep...
I have no words to describe that moment when she arrived. There are no such words. But these come close: AWESOME...HOLY...OVERWHELMING...MAJESTIC...HUMBLING...My life hasn't been the same since Oct. 10, 1990, when I became the daddy of a daughter. Oh, how I have loved the journey! And how VERY much I wish for quite a number of "do-overs" both to repeat the joy and to perhaps get it right this time. *heavy sigh*
Close your weary eyes & drift away,
it's alright I'll be here until the break of day closes the night.
I won't let no bad dreams come and bother you;
just put your trust in me
Just a simple moment, a melody, so close your sleepy eyes
(note: I may be a word or two off on the second verse; couldn't find it on the web & thus was relying on my ever-more leaky memory)
She was a "feet gull" (sweet girl)...but my favorite is "Daddy's gull." I have goofed at that so very many times; some fairly big goofs. My hope & prayer is that those times the Lord mercifully let me get it right will be what she takes away with her into the rest of her life & not the goofs. If you're being all moved by what seems to be false modesty, well, let me tell you: it's not. I am very nearly consumed with regret as my nest empties this Fall. Oh that my children had seen a better, more loving, more together, more godly example in their Daddy!
Got a little girl (or little boy too, for that matter) at your house? Dads, lay down the bullcrap, bogus tough-guy machismo; play dolls with your daughter. Have tea parties with her. Kick a soccer ball around with her. Draw with her. Sing with her. Watch Disney movies. Make time with her a very high priority, right after time with your Lord and time with your wife. I tried to do this...and deeply regret not doing it more. There are very few guarantees in life. Here's one that's a certainty: You WILL (not might...will) regret not spending time with your babies while they're young & at the house. You will NEVER regret entering their world while you're welcome there & invited in.
Singing dolphins over the ocean
Where it's clear and it's green
Help the waves with your gentle motion
Rock this child to sleep...
Oh, you gotta rock-a-bye my baby, rock-a-bye my baby rock-a-bye...
Speaking of "taking away"...she moves out of my house this Saturday. To a dorm on the campus of Mississippi State University in Starkville, which is about three hours away from here. I couldn't possibly be more excited for her...and I don't know that I could possibly be more bummed out for me about 55 Clipper Road emptying of children this Fall. Don't mis-read this: I am deeply & passionately in love with Lisa, who is my best friend and my soulmate. She & I have already spoken of cups of coffee & walks & books read & sunsets watched & such when it's just us. But neither of us is looking forward to our kids being 3 & 4.5 hours away.
My dear friend & mentor Keith Seabourn said just this past Wednesday over coffee that the reason it's so hard to say goodbye is that we were not designed to do so. (Note: Keith's 3 grown kids, 2 with children of their own, live much farther than 3 or 4.5 hours away from Keith & Kay...which makes me a bit of a whiner, doesn't it?) I know I'm very poorly equipped to say goodbye. Especially to my son and my daughter as they go away from here. Please forgive my brutal language here, but goodbyes just suck. And one more thing: 18 years go by in a dang flash! (See earlier comments about spending time w/ your children; you'll turn around & they'll be rolling out of your house ready--or not--to take on the world...)
Watercolor Ponies - Wayne Watson
There are watercolour ponies on my refrigerater door
And the shape of something I don't really recognize
Drawn by careful little fingers and put proudly on display
A reminder to us all of how time flies
Those of you who are locals in H'burg, go ahead & plan on me cashing in a whole bunch of man-cards these next few days. I'll be OK. But not just right away. So, if y'all could just pat me on the back, give me a hug & not make me talk about it, that'd be great. Maybe next week I'll be able to talk without blubbering; can't really pull it off this week...
Seems an endless mound of laundry and a stairway laced with toys
Gives a blow by blow reminder of the war
That we fight for their well-being, for their greater understanding
To impart a holy reverance for the Lord
But, baby, what will we do when it comes back to me and you?
They look a little less like little boys every day
Oh, the pleasure of watching the children growing
Is mixed with a bitter cup
Of knowing the watercolour ponies will one day ride away
I heard Wayne Watson sing this live when James & Anne were very small. It made me cry then. Did so again just now as I read thru the lyrics & sang them to myself. "The pleasure of watching the children growing is mixed with the bitter cup of knowing the watercolor ponies will one day ride away..." Verily, Wayne--an amazing song writer--has never written truer words than these!
And the vision can get so narrow as you view through your tiny world
And little victories can go by with no applause
But in the greater evaluation, as they fly from your nest of love
May they mount up with wings as eagles for His cause
(repeat 1st verse)
Speaking of an amazing song writer who loves his kids deeply, I'll close with this from Steven Curtis Chapman. An absolutely AMAZING song. (Aside: One of his young daughters was tragically killed when she was run over in their driveway by an older sibling...mercifully, I cannot even imagine that...)
Cinderella - Steven Curtis Chapman
She spins and she sways to whatever song plays, without a care in the world
And I'm sitting here with the weight of the world on my shoulders
It's been a long day and there's still work to do
She's pulling at me saying "Dad, I need you; there's a ball at the castle and I've been invited
And I need to practice my dancing...Oh, please, Daddy, please?"
So I will dance with Cinderella while she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella; I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone...
She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of the dress
She says, "Dad, the prom is just one week away,
And I need to practice my dancing...
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"
So I will dance with Cinderella while she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone...She will be gone
Well, she came home today with a ring on her hand
Just glowing and telling us all they had planned
She says, "Dad, the wedding's still six months away,
But I need to practice my dancing...
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"
So I will dance with Cinderella while she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella; I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
Anne: no daughter has ever been loved more by a deeply flawed dad than you. I am so very proud of you, Doodlebug. Even through the tears, I am VERY excited for you as you begin this new life phase. You have so much more potential than I did at 18.5...or than I do at 50...I hope you have the greatest college experience of learning & deep, abiding friendship & fun & spiritual growth. You are & always will be deeply embedded in my heart...and therefore you will always be in my prayers.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
With great love and a grateful, excited, & heavy heart all at once,
Dad
p.s. - don't forget that I need an "MSU Dad" shirt to proudly wear...*smile*
Dolphin's Lullaby - Firefall
Close your weary eyes & drift away; It's alright
I'll be here until the break of day closes the night.
I will sing a lullaby they sang to me when I was just your size.
Just a simple moment, a melody, to close those sleepy eyes.
And then--fast forwarding through a lot--the dream was fulfilled when this little guy came along who looked--looks--a lot like me. After a move to Hattiesburg, this beautiful little girl came along who looked--looks--like her mother and my mother, odd as that seems (she also acts like me quite often, which is sad for her...). I was about 2 feet away from her when she drew her first breath.
Whoa...singing dolphins over the ocean
Where it's clear and it's green
Help the waves with your gentle motion
Rock this child to sleep...
I have no words to describe that moment when she arrived. There are no such words. But these come close: AWESOME...HOLY...OVERWHELMING...MAJESTIC...HUMBLING...My life hasn't been the same since Oct. 10, 1990, when I became the daddy of a daughter. Oh, how I have loved the journey! And how VERY much I wish for quite a number of "do-overs" both to repeat the joy and to perhaps get it right this time. *heavy sigh*
Close your weary eyes & drift away,
it's alright I'll be here until the break of day closes the night.
I won't let no bad dreams come and bother you;
just put your trust in me
Just a simple moment, a melody, so close your sleepy eyes
(note: I may be a word or two off on the second verse; couldn't find it on the web & thus was relying on my ever-more leaky memory)
She was a "feet gull" (sweet girl)...but my favorite is "Daddy's gull." I have goofed at that so very many times; some fairly big goofs. My hope & prayer is that those times the Lord mercifully let me get it right will be what she takes away with her into the rest of her life & not the goofs. If you're being all moved by what seems to be false modesty, well, let me tell you: it's not. I am very nearly consumed with regret as my nest empties this Fall. Oh that my children had seen a better, more loving, more together, more godly example in their Daddy!
Got a little girl (or little boy too, for that matter) at your house? Dads, lay down the bullcrap, bogus tough-guy machismo; play dolls with your daughter. Have tea parties with her. Kick a soccer ball around with her. Draw with her. Sing with her. Watch Disney movies. Make time with her a very high priority, right after time with your Lord and time with your wife. I tried to do this...and deeply regret not doing it more. There are very few guarantees in life. Here's one that's a certainty: You WILL (not might...will) regret not spending time with your babies while they're young & at the house. You will NEVER regret entering their world while you're welcome there & invited in.
Singing dolphins over the ocean
Where it's clear and it's green
Help the waves with your gentle motion
Rock this child to sleep...
Oh, you gotta rock-a-bye my baby, rock-a-bye my baby rock-a-bye...
Speaking of "taking away"...she moves out of my house this Saturday. To a dorm on the campus of Mississippi State University in Starkville, which is about three hours away from here. I couldn't possibly be more excited for her...and I don't know that I could possibly be more bummed out for me about 55 Clipper Road emptying of children this Fall. Don't mis-read this: I am deeply & passionately in love with Lisa, who is my best friend and my soulmate. She & I have already spoken of cups of coffee & walks & books read & sunsets watched & such when it's just us. But neither of us is looking forward to our kids being 3 & 4.5 hours away.
My dear friend & mentor Keith Seabourn said just this past Wednesday over coffee that the reason it's so hard to say goodbye is that we were not designed to do so. (Note: Keith's 3 grown kids, 2 with children of their own, live much farther than 3 or 4.5 hours away from Keith & Kay...which makes me a bit of a whiner, doesn't it?) I know I'm very poorly equipped to say goodbye. Especially to my son and my daughter as they go away from here. Please forgive my brutal language here, but goodbyes just suck. And one more thing: 18 years go by in a dang flash! (See earlier comments about spending time w/ your children; you'll turn around & they'll be rolling out of your house ready--or not--to take on the world...)
Watercolor Ponies - Wayne Watson
There are watercolour ponies on my refrigerater door
And the shape of something I don't really recognize
Drawn by careful little fingers and put proudly on display
A reminder to us all of how time flies
Those of you who are locals in H'burg, go ahead & plan on me cashing in a whole bunch of man-cards these next few days. I'll be OK. But not just right away. So, if y'all could just pat me on the back, give me a hug & not make me talk about it, that'd be great. Maybe next week I'll be able to talk without blubbering; can't really pull it off this week...
Seems an endless mound of laundry and a stairway laced with toys
Gives a blow by blow reminder of the war
That we fight for their well-being, for their greater understanding
To impart a holy reverance for the Lord
But, baby, what will we do when it comes back to me and you?
They look a little less like little boys every day
Oh, the pleasure of watching the children growing
Is mixed with a bitter cup
Of knowing the watercolour ponies will one day ride away
I heard Wayne Watson sing this live when James & Anne were very small. It made me cry then. Did so again just now as I read thru the lyrics & sang them to myself. "The pleasure of watching the children growing is mixed with the bitter cup of knowing the watercolor ponies will one day ride away..." Verily, Wayne--an amazing song writer--has never written truer words than these!
And the vision can get so narrow as you view through your tiny world
And little victories can go by with no applause
But in the greater evaluation, as they fly from your nest of love
May they mount up with wings as eagles for His cause
(repeat 1st verse)
Speaking of an amazing song writer who loves his kids deeply, I'll close with this from Steven Curtis Chapman. An absolutely AMAZING song. (Aside: One of his young daughters was tragically killed when she was run over in their driveway by an older sibling...mercifully, I cannot even imagine that...)
Cinderella - Steven Curtis Chapman
She spins and she sways to whatever song plays, without a care in the world
And I'm sitting here with the weight of the world on my shoulders
It's been a long day and there's still work to do
She's pulling at me saying "Dad, I need you; there's a ball at the castle and I've been invited
And I need to practice my dancing...Oh, please, Daddy, please?"
So I will dance with Cinderella while she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella; I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone...
She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of the dress
She says, "Dad, the prom is just one week away,
And I need to practice my dancing...
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"
So I will dance with Cinderella while she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone...She will be gone
Well, she came home today with a ring on her hand
Just glowing and telling us all they had planned
She says, "Dad, the wedding's still six months away,
But I need to practice my dancing...
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"
So I will dance with Cinderella while she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella; I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
Anne: no daughter has ever been loved more by a deeply flawed dad than you. I am so very proud of you, Doodlebug. Even through the tears, I am VERY excited for you as you begin this new life phase. You have so much more potential than I did at 18.5...or than I do at 50...I hope you have the greatest college experience of learning & deep, abiding friendship & fun & spiritual growth. You are & always will be deeply embedded in my heart...and therefore you will always be in my prayers.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
With great love and a grateful, excited, & heavy heart all at once,
Dad
p.s. - don't forget that I need an "MSU Dad" shirt to proudly wear...*smile*
1 comment:
Yes, we have to give them up. We are only stewards, entrusted with God's princesses and princes for a little while. But the act of giving them up allows them to return as women and men of valor and courage and purpose, joining in God's eternal effort to show his glory to all. But it is still hard! Praying for you on this Saturday...
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