OT. Trying to be "happy" during this holiday season...

[michelleric]

Well this is totally off topic, but wanted to share with you all one way that brings me SO much peace at times when I need it.

Music has always been part of me, I sing, play piano.  My father has been a "professional" trumpet player all his life, Brother being a Saxophone player(who is booked most weekends for the next 2 years).

Anyway, I haven't sung lately (only in the shower), have trouble standing for long periods of time. There is a song I heard sing my KD Lang at the Olympics about 5 years ago or so.  I play it when I am down or need some peace.  (Lots of those moments).

I just want to share it with you.  I have having a tough time since November, just missing my mom tons and with birthdays of myself and 2 of my kids in November and not getting her bday wishes for the 2nd year in a row, and holidays coming and going, it is tough.

I am really trying to see the positive these days, and it seems to be working.

here is the link to the you tube video:  I hope you watch and enjoy.

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

Michelle

[michelleric]

LOVE IT MARY!!  Thanks for sharing with us...

[twopack]

Here's an uplifting video to go with the music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=hN8CKwdosjE

Free {{{{{{hugs}}}}} to you all.
(You'll understand after you watch)
Mary

[michelleric]

Mary,

I adore this song and I adore you.  Thanks for being my friend and I am so glad you are enjoying this song/version as well.

I wish you a happy, healthy and peaceful holiday season...
Michelle

[twopack]

Oh yes Michelle, I did watch and enjoy over and over and over and over......
This is bookmarked on my favorites list now.  It's in my head so as I'll never get it out.  Very few Christmas tunes have made it to my ear this year.  KD Land and the Hallelujah crowded them out this time around.

I don't know how this got by me way back when and how I had forgotten KD Lang's golden cords.  It won't happen again.  Perhaps because she has matured so in character and substance.  She was beautiful as a skinny young thing Red but I find her even more so now.

Michelle, I pray all of us come to appreciate each of our Hallelujah moments in life.  As Cohen said,  "All the perfect and broken Hallelujahs have an equal value."

Thank you.  Thank you.
Mary

[michelleric]

Thank you for your beautiful comment.  I did listen to "Hymn to her". Yes, it is beautiful, thanks for the link. Never heard that song before. I am sorry to hear about your brother. Life sometimes can be so sad and exhausting.  You sound like you are doing well.

I will just be glad when next year comes.  

"May all of our loved ones rest in peace and for those of us left behind, may we always carry cherished memories of them in our hearts, with time lessening the pain of grief so that we can appreciate the joy that they gave to our lives."  Very beautiful writing Audrey, thanks.

Michelle

[Audrey_M]

To Michelle and Everyone Who Has Lost a Loved One:

The holidays are always very difficult for those who have lost someone dear. I am sorry for your loss, yet rest assured that the pain will lessen as times passes, but you will never forget that very special person in your life. Years can pass and out of the blue, you might get hit by something that brings on sobbing or a brilliant memory that gives you joy, laughter or happy tears.

My brother and I were "Irish twins", with our birthdays ten months apart. We were incredibly close the entire time that we had together. He died in a vehicular accident in 1998, just shy of his 42nd birthday.

Christmas was one of Dave's favorite holidays. Those first few years after he died, the holidays were very hard for me, especially because Dave loved Christmas. As an adult, he always left his Christmas shopping until the very last minute on Christmas Eve day (back when stores weren't open until midnight) and would dash in the door of my parents' house with his purchases just as Christmas Eve dinner was ready to be served. He would get out of his share of kitchen chores because he still needed to wrap his gifts for our traditional family exchange that took place on Christmas Eve.

I can still remember, and even hear, him singing "My Christmas Bride" from the Ray Conniff singers Christmas album that was part of our family tradition. It used to make me laugh when he would sing it (hopeless romantic) and I can smile about it now.

Michelle, I talk to my brother all of the time. There is barely a day that goes by without me thinking of him. He is no longer here with me on earth, yet I will always carry his memory and our mutual love for one another with me. Like you, I do not know if he hears me and the only way that I will find the answer to that is after I die.

I used to plan ahead for the holidays. Now I am very much last minute about everything. I don't know if I'm trying to emulate my beloved brother or want to put off facing the holidays until I can no longer ignore them. My guess is the latter.

Michelle, Red and others who have lost a mother, Chrissie Hynde from the Pretenders sings a poem written by a woman as an ode to her mother. The poem is "Hymn to Her", yet it lacks the same power without music and the emotion of vocals behind it. While my mother is still alive, she lives far from me and I do not see her often and this song reminds me of the influence she has had and always will have on my life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YZnSTTTJMA

May all of our loved ones rest in peace and for those of us left behind, may we always carry cherished memories of them in our hearts, with time lessening the pain of grief so that we can appreciate the joy that they gave to our lives.

And yes, the holidays are hard. Be kind and gentle to yourself during this very tender time.

Audrey

[michelleric]

Thanks for the comments here.  I don't think I will ever fill the hole that is there from the loss of my mom.  I do "talk" to her as well, but I really dont think "she" is listening, think it is just for me to talk.    I do hope and pray it will get easier, but I just don't see it happening.  I wish I had been able to say goodbye...it was the shock of it all, and the loss.

Enough said...

Red, I love your comment, and"we both got fat."  that made me laugh hard.  Count me in as well. Funny,
Michelle

[RedFlame]

Michelle I'm so sorry that you are going through such pain right now.  Losing my mom was a deep sharp cut in my soul.  After a few  years it still hurt but not as intensley.  You are doing well to find things that help you.  I love Cohen's 'Hallaluja' and love kd langs version.  I saw her in concert in 91----a life time ago.  Both of us got fat.  

I know it may sound strange, but I talk to my mom all the time.  I do believe she can hear me, it helps to get it out of my body.

Be good to yourself!

Hugs

Red

[HVAC]

I love music as well. I took voice lessons, I do not play an instrument. I sing around my studio all the time. I love folk music especially Scottish and Irish. This time of year is hard because I always sang in my fathers church. I love the music of this time of year. I just know I am going to cry, because I still miss him. My consolation is I met my husband the week my dad died, and my DH has all the good traits of my dad.

Thanks for the link.

Alex

[figuerpa]

Thanks for sharing Michelle. Just remember that just because your mom isn't here physically to say those words she is still here in heart and saying them silently. My dad passed in 2006 so I know what you are going through. I have a memorial of him in my livingroom. I know sounds kind of morbid but he has his own little corner. It helped me so that is all that matters.

I hope you find some peace and serenity just knowing that she is still here in heart. I just look at it as now my dad can walk and be happy. No more pain no more meds just happy.

Take Care,
Paula