Row, Row, Row Your Boat
AE came out of the womb loving music. Her daddy sang to her for hours after she was born. When she was a baby, there were many days that I did more singing than talking. And, as she gets older, I’m amazed at the way she responds to music. I can’t wait to see how this passion unfolds.
Lately, she has become quite the songbird herself. She sings to her dolls. She sings as she plays. She sings when she can tell I need a little pick-me-up. “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” has been one of her favorites for as long as I can remember. It is such a joy to listen to her sing it now.
When I sing a song over and over, it’s easy to ignore the meaning of the words that are flowing from my mouth. But, as she often does, AE snapped me out of my old, tired pattern the other day. As I heard her singing the words “merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily” an important question hit me, “Am I rowing my boat merrily?”
Sometimes life seems more like a journey down white water rapids than a gentle stream, but I still have the option to navigate it joyfully. It isn’t an effortless choice. It does take practice and commitment, but the rewards are great. Thankfully, I have the sweetest toddler regularly singing a happy tune to remind me.
Wishing you merriment as you row this week!
How have your kids helped you see things in a new light lately? I’d love to hear!
Plus, the other lesson I’ve learned is that the words aren’t that important afterall. As long as you have a tune in your heart and a glide in your stride, it’s all good. So I will now be signing the chorus of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s song “Bad Moon Rising” as follows: “Theeeeeere’s a bathroom on the right…”