My incredibly thoughtful and caring friend Heather gave me the most precious and priceless gift for Lily's 4th birthday. She wrote a song for me in honor and remembrance of Lily and her brief but beautiful life on this Earth.
This is the email Heather sent along with the song:
Even though I knew that she had written a song, I decided to wait until the next morning, on Lily's actual birthday, to listen to it for the first time. This gave me something to look forward to. On the morning of Lily's birthday, my mom, dad, grandmother, and I all listened to it together... there were lots of tears. I kept saying, "I just can't believe she wrote me a song!"
I cannot begin to describe how much this song means to me and how beautiful I think it is. This is one of the most thoughtful and special gifts I have ever received. It has truly been the highlight of Lily's birthday this year. It has made her day very special and has erased some of the bitter from the bittersweet.
The lyrics are absolutely breathtakingly beautiful. Heather has somehow captured my mother heart in these words, Lily's life and legacy, and what it means to me to be her mommy. The song just fits Lily - it is so gentle and sweet, yet also has a bittersweet sound. It depicts the sacred dance of grief and joy. Heather is an amazing musician. I have thought her voice and piano playing is so beautiful ever since I first heard her during our Ellerslie semester when I first met her. Her sweet voice matches this song perfectly.
Something that is so neat - I was recently on a friend of mine's blog and saw that someone had written a song in honor of her daughter (who is also in Heaven). I thought to myself how special that was and how much I wish Lily could have a song written about her. I wished that I was a musician, but since I am not, I dreamed of having someone write a song that shows the beauty of Lily Katherine. This was literally a week or so ago! Then came this very sweet surprise. It feels like a gift from Jesus. :)
Music has been a big part of my healing, so it means so much that Lily now has a song all her own. I love how Heather has included things that I have said or written about Lily. Somehow she summed up Lily's life and legacy in one song. I have always had a difficult time saying all I want to say in few words. Heather has done that with this song.
I have been listening to the song over and over (I even had it playing on repeat on my way home from Virginia to North Carolina). The chorus is stuck in my head. I couldn't love Lily's song more.
I was able to play Lily's song at her birthday celebration yesterday (more about that later).
Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Heather, for this gift that I will treasure forever.
This is the email Heather sent along with the song:
Hello Hannah Rose, I know this is a day early, but I couldn't wait any longer! This is my gift to you in honor and remembrance of Lily and her beautiful but brief life on this earth. I began thinking about writing this song shortly before you came to CO in September, but didn't have my mind fully wrapped around it. As March approached, I decided it needed to come to fruition for March 16, 2014. So I began praying and writing, and this is what came about. It has been a very precious and very serious process for me, knowing that I need to accurately portray a story not my own in a way that is beautiful and clear. I tried to incorporate ways that you have used to describe Lily and your story, and since this is written from your perspective, trying to also capture the deep emotion, love, joy and sorrow that is apart of it. I know there are probably things that could have or should have been added, but I pray that this will richly bless you, and it truly is a clear portrayal of yours and Lily's story. My desire was for you to have a song that was specifically for Lily, from the outflow of your heart. May this birthday weekend be one of deepest joy coupled with the grieving that is needful to bring peace and greater rest in our Lord Jesus. Thank you for your bravery, for your vulnerability, for sharing your story with us, and allowing the Lord to use it to show His redemptive, beautiful, powerful, loving, purifying work in a life given to Him! I also thought you would enjoy having the lyrics! It was fun to put together a page that would go with the song, and I tried to design it in such a way that was similar to the style you like (old fashioned, with very feminine colors). Much, much love to you, Hannah Rose! And Happy Birthday, sweet Lily Katherine. Your sister in Christ, HeatherHeather had told me that she would be sending something for Lily's birthday and I honestly had no idea what it could be. I was at Lily's special spot with my dad on Saturday, the day before Lily's birthday, fixing Lily's flower vase when I first saw Heather's email (that was special to be at her spot when I first discovered Lily has a song now). :) As soon as I read that she had written a song for Lily and I, the tears started falling.
Even though I knew that she had written a song, I decided to wait until the next morning, on Lily's actual birthday, to listen to it for the first time. This gave me something to look forward to. On the morning of Lily's birthday, my mom, dad, grandmother, and I all listened to it together... there were lots of tears. I kept saying, "I just can't believe she wrote me a song!"
I cannot begin to describe how much this song means to me and how beautiful I think it is. This is one of the most thoughtful and special gifts I have ever received. It has truly been the highlight of Lily's birthday this year. It has made her day very special and has erased some of the bitter from the bittersweet.
The lyrics are absolutely breathtakingly beautiful. Heather has somehow captured my mother heart in these words, Lily's life and legacy, and what it means to me to be her mommy. The song just fits Lily - it is so gentle and sweet, yet also has a bittersweet sound. It depicts the sacred dance of grief and joy. Heather is an amazing musician. I have thought her voice and piano playing is so beautiful ever since I first heard her during our Ellerslie semester when I first met her. Her sweet voice matches this song perfectly.
Something that is so neat - I was recently on a friend of mine's blog and saw that someone had written a song in honor of her daughter (who is also in Heaven). I thought to myself how special that was and how much I wish Lily could have a song written about her. I wished that I was a musician, but since I am not, I dreamed of having someone write a song that shows the beauty of Lily Katherine. This was literally a week or so ago! Then came this very sweet surprise. It feels like a gift from Jesus. :)
Music has been a big part of my healing, so it means so much that Lily now has a song all her own. I love how Heather has included things that I have said or written about Lily. Somehow she summed up Lily's life and legacy in one song. I have always had a difficult time saying all I want to say in few words. Heather has done that with this song.
I have been listening to the song over and over (I even had it playing on repeat on my way home from Virginia to North Carolina). The chorus is stuck in my head. I couldn't love Lily's song more.
I was able to play Lily's song at her birthday celebration yesterday (more about that later).
Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Heather, for this gift that I will treasure forever.
"Sweet Lily" lyrics (listen to the song below or by clicking HERE)
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