Our Song

I used to be a classically trained singer. No, I'm not kidding. Starting from the time I was 11, until I was in my mid-20's I took vocal lessons and sang everything from show tunes to opera. I was the annoying kid who sang solos you had to sit though in church. I was the lead in the school play. I was the only member of my college acting cohort who got excited when we did musical theater. And I was the one who supported myself as a singing waiter when I moved to San Francisco after school. Again, not kidding.

I stopped singing in public when I moved to Washington D.C. Lessons were too expensive, and no one really cared if a television producer could sing. I kept singing around the house though, and looked forward to the day I would have a baby to sing to as I rocked her to sleep.

Now she is here, and I have found it hard to know what song to sing.

I don't like lullabies. Sure, they sound pretty, but most of them are about gross commercialism, unlucky insects, babies falling out of trees, or lost love. In my imagination, I have always sung show tunes to my baby. I love them, and have known every word to most of the standards since I was a little kid. However, when I look down at Meg, the words go out of my head. I hate to say it, but I don't think she is a Broadway baby.

Actually, when I look at Meg few lyrics come to me. Few words too. She renders me dumb because I am so in awe of her. I think it happens to all parents. I mean, doesn't that explain baby talk? It isn't that adults want to talk down to babies, they just go stupid around them and can't do anything but babble. I think that's the reason one of the only songs I have been able to remember all the words to is "Witch Doctor." You know, the one that goes "Ooo, eee, ooo, ah, ah, ding, dang, walla, walla, bing bang." Yeah, it's just random sounds to a tune -- perfect for someone who has temporarily lost all knowledge.

Today though, I think I found a song. It's from an artist I have always liked, but not loved. It was the free download on iTunes last week, and came on randomly when we were driving to pick up Luke at school. Meg was in the back, and kind of getting fussy. When this song came on though, she stopped. And since then, every time I start to sing to Meg, this is the song that comes out of my mouth.



Isn't it a beautiful song? It has the nonsense sounds that I am, by now, very good at making, and it has a positive message that has nothing to do with mining deaths, or sheep love. Of course, it could change tomorrow, and I could go back to singing the grocery list, or making up songs like "who is a baby head."

Right now though? Meg and I are caught up, and enjoying our song.