Singing Time

When Ellie was little, she never let me sing her to sleep. I didn't try very hard then, because I was very conscious of wanting it to be a fun extra rather than a necessity, but I was a little sad. Over the past year or so, though, she's started to look forward to it as a special treat. I love it, because I like to sing (and three-year-olds don't care when you're singing a song half an octave above your range and butchering it enthusiastically), because it's a sweet time together, because I have great memories of my dad singing me to sleep, and because it's a nice way to help her learn the hymns that I love and grew up with.

Last night, I sang several songs and then the first verse of "Blessed Assurance." I was surprised that Ellie could sing all the words with me. Since it was getting later, I asked Ellie to close her eyes for the second verse. She was asleep before I finished it! Isn't that a great way to fall asleep?

"Perfect submission - all is at rest.
I in my Savior am happy and blessed.
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His love."

Of course, that's not what she's singing this morning. Now she's singing an old protest song about Charlie and the MTA: "And he never returned; no, he never returned, and his fate is still unlearned. He may ride forever 'neath the streets of Boston. He's the man who never returned." (I can't explain it, but I sing it too. You'd have to ask my dad.)