Quiet house. Early morning feeding. Just me and the little guy, snuggled together, separated only by a swaddle blanket and a bottle. After the bottle was drained and the obligatory burping achieved, we rocked, staring into each others’ eyes, and I began to sing…
Somewhere, over the rainbow, way up high, there’s a land that I’ve heard of once in a lullaby…
He listened very intently, then he did a little something with his eyes that reminded me of his sister at that age and I was taken back to a very pink bedroom, during a similar early morning feeding, where I was singing…
…Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue, and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true…
That memory found me drifting back to still another nursery, decorated in primary colors suitable for either boy or girl, in which I had stenciled teddy bears around the chair rail, and, great with child, sat in my grandmother’s rocker in sweet anticipation of a new baby. Soon after, I rocked that baby girl, and later, her sister, and I sang…
Someday I’ll wish upon a star and wake up where the clouds are far behind me…where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops, that’s where you’ll find me…
The little bundle in my arms stirred and broke me from my reverie, and I realized I was crying.
I once was a little girl with a dream. In a world where more and more women were entering the work force, and breaking into corporate America, I dreamed of being a wife and then a mother, just like my own. Even as I went through college, married and graduated, I never wavered from that desire, knowing that, once pregnant, my maternity leave would be permanent, Lord willing. And, it was. I couldn’t be more thankful.
I sat there with tears streaming because my young little heart had dared to dream a dream that really did come true, and the truth of it had woven through my entire life, through marriage and babies and now grandbabies. It turns out that it isn’t just happy little bluebirds that fly over the rainbow, you see. I know, because I’ve done it, and I’ve glimpsed heaven in the process.
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalm 23:6 ESV
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights…” James 1:17 ESV
<3
How Beautiful!! My dream was like yours. All I ever wanted to be was a wife and mom. Your dad made $598 a month when you were born. I was determined to stay at home and it was very hard. But as they say, where there is a will there is a way! No new clothes, drove old cars, lived on a budget. I made your clothes. Lived in a two bedroom house where all three kids were born. We lived there for 11 years. We had one car. Your dad car pooled to work. I look back now and realize that it was only by the grace of God that we made it and I lived my dream!!
Oh, love this is post! I sang that very song to my boys and my now my grand daughters in that creaking rocking chair! What a glorious memory it brings to my heart! Thanks for sharing!