Today is a very special day for me. It is my birthday... but that is not the most important part of today's significance. My youngest sister, Carole, was born on my 11th birthday and we shared this birthday for 45 years. September 13 has been a popular day in my family as I also have a nephew, Geoffrey Deter, who was born on 9/13 as well.
Sadly, last December, Carole died after fighting cancer. She was an amazing person: a devoted wife and mother, a dedicated teacher, a loving sister, and friend to many.
Her humor was what set her apart from the pact. A favorite memory we have of Carole is her tradition of gathering the children or young adults from our family during the Thanksgiving holiday and going to homes in the area who had already decorated their yard with Christmas lights. They would all gather round in some unsuspecting neighbor's yard, posing while someone took a group shot of them with a digital camera. What fun they had showing off all the photos to the rest of our extended family upon their return!
You are likely wondering why I am putting this story in a blog regarding arts education. Well, there is a reason; an important one. Everyone deals with the grief of a family member or close friend in a different way. And for me, knowing that my birthday was coming and I wouldn't be sharing it with my sister had made me very sad. So, I did what was not unexpected for the creative, singer/songwriter that I am. I wrote a song for my sister. There isn't a recording of it yet as I can't seem to get through much of the song without crying. But, I wanted to publish the lyrics today, with the promise of posting a link to the recording soon.
Here is my song for my dear sister Carole, titled Happy Birthday To My Angel. I hope you like it, and perhaps through this song, you can get a glimpse of how extraordinary my sister was. And, how through the legacy of her two children, her spirit will live on forever!
Happy Birthday To My Angel
by Cindy Wilkinson
When I was just a child, many years ago
It happened on my birthday, I was 11 years old
A baby born that day, a sister there for me
No more glorious birthday gift could ever be.
Happy Birthday, to the angel in my life,
Bringing joy and laughter as you fill my heart, my life.
Happy Birthday, to my angel shining bright,
Showering your love for all to see.
God made a miracle in you,
I feel your love and your light shining through.
God sent a glorious gift to me, in you.
You grew into a mother and a wife
Cherishing your children, your husband, and your life.
And although I know this sounds a bit cliche,
You've spent your years making this world a better place.
Happy Birthday, to the angel in my life,
Bringing joy and laughter as you fill our hearts, our lives.
Happy Birthday, to our angel shining bright,
showering your love for all to see.
God made a miracle in you,
I feel your your love and your light shine through.
God sent a glorious gift to me, in you.
My heart it broke in two, when I heard the words that you
were leaving this world all too soon.
And, no amount of crying could change that you were dying
Oh God, I beg, I plead, I pray for strength, please give me strength
To say good-bye to you, say good-bye to you.
Today I spend my birthday here alone
Feeling only sadness, my joy has gone.
Then I look into your children's eyes and see what you have left behind
And I feel you here in me, your love within us, and your light we see.
Happy Birthday, to the angel in my life,
Bringing joy and laughter as you fill our hearts, our lives.
Happy Birthday, to my angel shining bright,
Showering your love for all to see.
God made a miracle in you,
I feel your love and your light shining through.
God sent a glorious gift to me...
Happy Birthday... to my angel watching over me.
Lovely song!!!
ReplyDeleteOkay now that the girls are off to school and I have a few more minute before heading out the door.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you posted this on your blog. Although perhaps I am biased as I speak so much on different ways to help children and parents grieve. I strongly believe in using the theory of multiple intelligence to tap into ways of therapy. And music is one of the intelligences. I volunteered at a grief camp last summer for Hospice and teen camp group project was writing their own song with a music therapist.
So many people want to avoid discussing death with children, in part because they aren't sure of how to start a conversation on it. Or they have their own fears and phobias regarding. Death happens to everyone, sooner or later. Planned or unexpected. We have to choose to know how to help each other through these times, to heal, and to move forward.
Thank you so much for your blog post today.