Children Will Listen

It's interesting how being a mom changes everything - even songs you've heard dozens of times before have new meaning.  Today we were listening to my Pandora "show tunes" station as I was performing my daily Broadway Revue for Sarah Beth.  If you're ever having a bad day, come peek in my kitchen window around 1-3 PM and you can catch the show.  Quite entertaining, singing, dancing, etc.  I'm sure I look like a total idiot but it keeps her happy so it's worth it.  Picture it: grown woman singing the Annie soundtrack complete with choreography.  Classic. (By the way, if you haven't experienced Pandora and you're a music lover - check it out.  It's the coolest thing ever. http://www.pandora.com/)

Anyway, on comes "Children Will Listen" from the musical Into the Woods.  I've heard this song plenty of times; I own the broadway recording as a matter of fact.  As I started singing along for sweet Sarah Beth, I got all choked up and started sobbing like, well, a baby, absorbing the meaning of the song.  I picked her up and squeezed her tight and she let me have my moment.  Of course I immediately bought the Streisand version from iTunes so I could repeat my emotional breakdown on demand.  (I know, Streisand may not be "cool" or whatever but the lady can really sing.)  It's a beautiful song and reminded my of the awesome responsibility we have to raise this child.  She comes into this world absolutely pristine and perfect in every way.  How do we not screw her up?  My nightly prayer goes something like "Please Lord give us the wisdom and patience and strength to do what's best for her and help us to become more deserving of this incredible gift."  I have never meant a prayer in a more heartfelt way.  We have so much to be thankful for.  Just yesterday we had two incredible things happen.  More on that later.  For now, here are the lyrics to the Sondheim song.  Now go out and buy the song on iTunes so you can cry along with me...

Children Will Listen
How do you say to your child in the night
Nothing is all black but then nothing is all white?
How do you say it will all be alright
When you know that it mightn’t be true?
What do you do?
Careful the things you say,
Children will listen.
Careful the things you do,
Children will see.
And learn.
Children may not obey,
But children will listen.
Children will look to you
For which way to turn,
To learn what to be.
Careful before you say,
Listen to me.
Children will listen.
Careful the wish you make,
Wishes are children.
Careful the path they take,
Wishes come true,
Not free.
Careful the spell you cast,
Not just on children.
Sometimes the spell may last
Past what you can see
And turn against you...
Careful the tale you tell.
That is the spell.
Children will listen...
How can you say to a child who’s in flight,
Don’t slip away and I won’t hold so tight?
What can you say that no matter how slight won’t be misunderstood?
What do you leave to your child when you’re dead
Only what ever you put in its head
Things that your mother and father had said
Which were left to them too.
Careful what you say, children will listen
Careful you do it too, children will see and learn.
Guide them but step away,
Children will glisten.
Temper with what is true
And children will turn,
If just to be free.
Careful before you say,
Listen to me.
Children will listen...
Children will listen!
Children, children will listen