Inspirational Awakening

Who said that every wish would be heard and answered

when wished on the morning star?

Somebody thought of that, and someone believed it;

look what it’s done so far.

What’s so amazing that keeps us stargazing

and what do we think we might see?

Someday we’ll find it, the Rainbow Connection;

The lovers, the dreamers, and me

~ The Rainbow Connection (sung by Kermit in the Muppets movie)

Yesterday I had a wonderful “moment” with my daughter. She has just advanced to the next level in her voice lessons. (This is the only lesson/club she is currently involved in, so it is the subject of much conversation.) She was complaining about the “old songs” she has to sing. She had hoped this next level would bring some “pop” music.

As a mom would do, I asked her, “How bad can it be?” She proceeded to get her music book. After beautifully belting out “On Top of Spaghetti,” “Hello Muddh, Hello Fadduh!,” “Castle on a Cloud,” and “Second Hand Rose,” she launched into “The Rainbow Connection.” I immediately started to clap and stomp my feet, looking more like 10 years of age than she does.

“Yes, mother?” She seemed surprised by my excitement.

“I love this song!” I said, quickly joining in. As we sung the chorus above, memories began drifting into today. Memories I might not have recalled if it wasn’t for this “old music” in my daughter’s voice lessons.

We hit the last part of the song, and it affected me just as it had twenty years ago, when I watched the Muppet movie for the hundredth time.

Have you been half asleep and have you heard voices?

I’ve heard them calling my name.

I’ve heard it too many times to ignore it

It’s something that I’m s’posed to do

I can’t recall what I thought a frog was trying to tell me at age 10, but I remember the words resonating. As we finished the song, Sammy said, “I love that ending, don’t you?” I smiled as we launched into another one of my favorites, “Puff the Magic Dragon…”

Re-reading those lyrics as an adult, I think I must have heard something similar to what to I hear today … a call to be something more—to challenge life—to live outloud.

I learned the true value of “time” at a very young age. All of my grandparents had passed on before my birth or while I was a baby. My father would leave when I was eight-months-old. While I would see him “here and there” throughout the years, we would never develop a relationship before his death this past spring. I lost my one and only sibling 8 years ago. Perhaps nothing teaches us the bittersweet value of a moment—except lost moments.

As each loss occurs, I embrace the now even more—truly acknowledging every second for the gift that it is. I strive to live in truth, honor, centeredness, passion, integrity, and love. And What’s so amazing that keeps me stargazing… what do I think I might see?

I don’t know. But someday I’ll find it… the lovers, the dreamers and me.

Your turn:

Every night this week, walk outside and wish upon a star. If the stars aren’t visible, wish on the moon. If you can’t see the moon, just throw a wish into the air—remembering what goes up must come down.

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