Today the kids and I were able to attend a birthday party for the son of a good friend of mine. Little Carter is such a sweet guy who is always so happy and just lights up the room with his smile.... oh yeah, and did I mention he has Downs Syndrome? Straight from that birthday party the kids and I headed over to my brother and sister-in-law's house for the birthday party of their daughter, (my niece) Kaylana, who is turning five, and just happens to be autistic. As I sat there visiting with the family, Kaylana joined the group and began singing the most beautiful song I had ever heard a child sing. She sang sweetly for several minutes, and then announced to the group of us that she had just sung the "song of her heart." She had made it up right there on the spot and had sung it in perfect pitch and with so much conviction. Although I couldn't understand most of what she was saying, I did hear several references to Jesus and Heavenly Father and the Holy Ghost. How sweet is that!
Some time later, I was watching the kids play and Kaylana came up to me and gave me a hug. I told her how beautiful her song was, and then she said the most profound thing to me. "Aunt Emily", she said, "Sing the song of your heart!" To appease Kaylana, I made up some song about her and how special she was and how it was her birthday, and all the while twirling her around in circles. As this silly song stopped, I immediately thought, "WHAT is the song of my heart?!" I couldn't help but tear up as I thought of this. I remembered the scripture in Alma Chapter 5 that asks a similar question, "if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?" Several years ago there was a time in my life where I could honestly say I could sing the song of redeeming love on a daily basis, but the biggest part of this question is, "can ye feel so now?" For some reason, I have lost my daily song. I can sing it from time to time, but so many times I forget how it goes. The song only stays when I live my life in such a way that I have the constant companion of the Holy Ghost. So many times I yell at my kids and get so frustrated with this mortal life, that I lose the Spirit, and then the only thing that fills me is misery and woe.
I have a song in my heart!! I know it's there, and my goal in these coming days is to find it again - to do whatever it takes to feel each and every day that my life is a gift. My Savior paid the price for me, and for all mankind, that I CAN sing the song of redeeming love! What is YOUR song?
9 comments:
LOVE YOU!!
That was such a sweet post! I need to sing the songs of my heart every day too! Good reminder! Love you sis!
I love you Emily! This made me smile! I miss having Morgans nearby and wish I could have heard Kaylana's song! I'm not sure what my song is...I've never been able to pick a favorite song before! In seminary we would have a question of the day, and once it was "What's your favorite hymn?" I filled a whole page with my favorite hymns.
Emily that is a much better lesson than we received in three hour of church Thank you for your thoughts. We had a new convert bare his testamony today and he stated he had grown up in a foster home program and had never felt like anyone ever loved him. He had never known his mother or father. Think how privileged we are to have the opportunity to love these precious spirits which come to us. Love you, Grandma
I wish I could have heard Kaylana's song. I can imagine the sweetness of it. Special needs children are often closer to the spirit than the rest of us.
You are doing a great job as a mother,Em! I think the song of the heart comes from the joy we feel by recognizing our blessings. You and yours are certainly some of my greatest blessings. Love, Mom
I was enriched by reading this. Thanks!
Good food for thought. Thanks Emily - I love picking up pearls of wisdom!!
Good food for thought. Thanks Emily - I love picking up pearls of wisdom!!
Emily, I am so grateful for you. I love you!
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