Two days ago I spend the day rebuilding a tool box. I spent the entire day in the garage disassembling, cleaning, re-lubing, and reassembling this box. I listen to all types of music but that day was a jazz day for me. I listened to the jazz I love- Glen Miller, Benny Goodman, Chick Webb & His Orchestra, BBC Big Band Orchestra, Chu Berry, Duke Ellington, Jerry Gray, and Doc Severinsen to name a few. Perhaps this type of music has just been with me recently. I don't know. Anyway - as I have previously stated - I don't really recall my dreams. I know I do dream but nonetheless I awoke this morning with a song sung by Ella Fitzgerald which I knew the tune but not the lyrics. As I found myself humming this tune in the shower, I was thinking to myself - what is the name of this tune?? ... Then it hit me. Dream a little dream of me. I looked up the lyrics on Google and they are a bit eye-opening since I hadn't thought of Ella's songs in such a long time and I didn't know this one.
Stars shining bright above you
Night breezes seem to whisper "I love you"
Birds singing in the sycamore trees
Dream a little dream of me
Say nighty-night and kiss me
Just hold me tight and tell me you'll miss me
While I'm alone and blue as can be
Dream a little dream of me
Stars fading but I linger on dear
Still craving your kiss
I'm longing to linger till dawn dear
Just saying this
Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you
Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you
But in your dreams whatever they be
Dream a little dream of me
Stars fading but I linger on dear
Still craving your kiss
I'm longing to linger till dawn dear
Just saying this
Sweet dreams, till sunbeams find youNeedless to say I immediately thought of Jan and her singing of Ella's songs. I don't recall her ever singing this but in a way it was a sweet reminder to me that our loved ones are always with us.
Gotta keep dreaming leave all worries behind you
But in your dreams whatever they be
You gotta make me a promise, promise to me
You'll dream, dream a little of me
Today, in our family, we celebrate Easter. Easter represents the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the tomb. It is a touchy subject for me since death generally helps each of us get real on what we believe. I was reading today's Sunday School lesson yesterday which asks the following:
Do you actually believe that Jesus was the Son of God, the literal offspring of the Father?
Do you believe that the voice of God, the Eternal Father, was heard above the waters of Jordan declaring, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased”? (Matt. 3:17.)
Do you believe that this same Jesus was the worker of miracles, the healer of the sick, the restorer of the infirm, the giver of life to the dead?
Do you believe that following his death on Calvary’s hill and his burial in Joseph’s tomb, he came forth alive the third day?
Do you actually believe that he yet lives—real, vital, and personal—and that he will come again as promised by the angels at his ascension?I get that religion is different for many. I get that people have differing beliefs. I only share this section to highlight that for me, "What do you really believe?" was a question I had to answer when Jan died. I had to get very clear. I had to do this not only for me but for my children who were looking to me for guidance. Do I believe that there is life after this one? For me the answer is a solid yes. Because of that belief, life events like this silly song hit me with profound influence reminding me that there is more to life than mortality. For me, knowing that I will still be very much alive ten thousand years from today makes me think of mortality differently. My life decisions are different because of it. I think eternity has a place in all of us. We may not want to acknowledge it but as children of God he has put a little bit of divinity in each of us. God is not dead nor will we be in the hereafter. That I believe.
Happy Easter to all -
