Saturday, Music, Thoughts, and Mallory

It's Saturday and here is what's happening at our house. Mike is away helping his Dad move his business to a new location, so The Littles and I, and Mallory have all been home enjoying the day.

I bought The Andrea Bocelli Christmas CD yesterday, and have been listening to it all day. His music is so beautiful, it makes me cry. I realize that's easy to do, since I've been crying through songs since Sesame Street, but I really do think his music is emotionally moving and beautiful.

I think most of you know this story, but the first time I heard his song Time To Say Goodbye was when Annie Laurie was a brand new baby. She had to have some tests done at a Dr. Office right after she was born, and this song was playing in the office and it brought me to tears. I know I could blame it on post-partem hormones, but like I said, I've been crying through songs since Sesame Street. I was highly embarrassed, but still I went to the front desk and asked the women who worked there who was singing and what music it was. I told them that it was making me cry, and they were so kind to me and agreed that it was beautiful to hear. They also wrote down Andrea Bocelli's name for me and I have been a dedicated listener since.

Music makes me cry, and many times as I sit through church my eyes fill up with tears, and I have to clench my jaw and convince myself to stop crying. The hymns always remind me of Mom, and all of us sitting restless together through church. The music at church is one of my favorite things about attending church, and it always reminds me of our family. I love when certain songs remind me of my siblings, parents, and my children. The sad thing is is that it always makes me cry, and perhaps, what I am really crying about is the past.

I realize I am sensitive to music, and that so many songs that I think are sad are not sad to anyone else. Mallory plays the saddest Primary songs on the piano, and I have to steel myself when she plays. I would never ask her to stop playing because I am always so glad when any of my kids practice their instruments, or read a book, or do anything I think is good for them. Her favorite song to play is, Did Jesus Really Live Again, and every time I hear it my eyes fill with tears, and I go quietly into the bathroom and cram kleenex in my eyes so no one will notice. I know that it is a beautiful song full of kindness and meaningful lyrics, and unfortunately, beautiful things make me cry.

Mallory has seen me cry through Simon & Garfunkle songs, and it surprised her when I did. She used to tease me about it when she was younger, but the older she is, the better she understands why. I cannot listen to some of their songs, and have always thought the two of them are too depressing together. Paul Simon alone is much easier to listen to.

I realize, of course, that I am a big, baby, but I can't help it. I am, after all, the sensitive, bookish type.

Back to Andrea Bocelli: His Italian CD is so fun, and full of beautiful music, too. It reminds me so much of our trip to Italy and Europe because I bought it the day after we came home and played it for all of my kids. I listened to it so much that Jacob finally yelled out, "Oh, No! Not Santa Lucia, AGAIN!" So, Santa Lucia has become his song and Santa Lucio has become his name. I think of him every time I hear it, and I can't wait to play it for him on repeat when he comes home for Christmas.

Buying music and perfume when I am on a trip is one of my favorite things to do because it calls forth the trip and all that I felt and remembered. When Mike and I go out of town for our anniversary I always buy perfume. Even just standing at the counter deciding which one I want and using the test bottles reminds me of our trips together. In Europe I bought perfume, and when we went to The Bahamas with our friends, I bought some there, too. The bottles are empty now, but I've saved them and even just taking the cap off the top, which still smells so good, brings me back to where it was we went. Also, after The Bahamas trip we spent every Saturday by our blue-pool listening to Bob Marley, and that music not only reminds me of summer, but of that trip as well.

What I am really trying to say I think is this: If you want to enhance the memory of a trip, buy some music that will remind you of it, and find a scent you'll never forget.

Lastly, I wanted to write about what a nice day we're having today. The house is decorated for Christmas, the Christmas tree lights are on, and we've all had a nice day at home.

My favorite days are when the kids are home and we're all working independently on whatever we are interested in, but we're all together. It is so nice when no one is bickering and everyone is busy. We've been listening to The Christmas music I wrote about, and simply enjoying being home on a cold, windy day.

While I was in the kitchen, Mallory came in wearing my brand new sweater. She does this kind of thing a lot. Remember this past summer when I came home from racing to get her money from the bank, only to have her and her entire waterpolo team and their mother's waiting on the front porch, as she came walking down the driveway in my new hat, cover up and straw bag? It was hilarious to all of us, including me, and as everyone knows, if you make me laugh, I will let you get away with murder. I really do believe humor is my Achilles Heel. That and a good compliment.

So, there she was in the kitchen in my new sweater looking so much better in it than I ever could. She really did look cute. She had on, what I think of as my signature sweater, which is an off white cable knit sweater, the kind I've been wearing since I was 16 years old. Maybe everything with me is my signature style since I really haven't changed my style or hair style since I was 16 years old.

As she tried to convince me to let her wear it, I asked her in exasperation, "Why do you always want to wear my clothes?" Her answer did me in. She said," Because you have cute clothes, Mom." That's all I needed to hear. There was something flattering about having my 17 year old daughter wanting to wear my clothes and then telling me they were cute. She could tell I liked that, and laughed as she saw me give in. She left me in the kitchen as she finished getting ready, but the next thing I knew she came back again into the kitchen not only wearing my new sweater, but carrying my new red bag!

It was so outrageous of her, that I burst out laughing, and so did she.

Because she made me laugh I let her have her way, and wear my new everything. I even loaned her a pair of new shoes, I hadn't taken out of the box. I thought she looked great and told her I was going to copy her look.

She had on my cable knit sweater, a pair of black leggings, little black flats and a red bag. She also had a black hairband with a black flower in her hair. As she left, she called out to me, "Thanks, Mom. You can borrow my hairband next time." After she said it I thought, I already have a permanent hairband: My sunglasses, of course.

So, that is my Saturday and some of my thoughts. And now I have to stop typing and spend some time with The Littles who have been very easy today, and let me have my way, without even making me laugh.