Songs of the Heart

At church today, we were practicing for the primary sacrament meeting presentation.  I play the piano in primary, so I get to focus a lot on the songs the children sing.  The little Sunbeams and some of the CTR 4's were sitting down in front of the stand and Rachel, who was directing the music, commented that those little Sunbeams were singing their hearts out.  And even from where I was, I could hear them. :)  I had really been thinking a lot about the words and the meanings of the songs the children were singing and how simple, yet profound, the messages in the songs really are.

And quickly I thought about what a blessing the primary songs have been in my life, and not just as a child.  In fact, probably mostly as an adult.  As most of you know, my dear, sweet Grandmother passed away earlier this year.  There just isn't enough time or space for me write how much she meant to me.  There are a thousand, maybe a million, experiences and memories that made our relationship what it was.  And its hard to put into words, what that loss has been like.

One thing, for which I am abundantly grateful, is that I got the be with Grandma those last few days before she passed away.  Grandma was only in the hospital for 4 days before she passed away.  Even though she was 90 and had gotten more feeble, her rapid decline was very sudden.  She had been in the hospital a day or two when she had to be moved to a Critical Care unit.  She had been unresponsive--not sleeping, but also not able to "wake up" either--and the doctors said she probably wouldn't wake up again.  But that morning, I had some quiet time with just me and Grandma.  I talked to her for a while and then thought maybe she'd like to hear some music.  Grandma always loved music and I thought it might be comforting.  The best (and believe me, I use that term loosely) instrument available in that moment was my voice.  So I decided to sing some primary songs and hymns for her.  I sang a few and then chose "A Child's Prayer."  There lay my sweet Grandmother, less than a day away from leaving her earthly home.  I stood close by, smoothing her hair off her face, snuggling my face next to hers as I sang these words:

Heavenly Father, are you really there?
And do you hear and answer every child's prayer?
Some say that Heaven is far away, 
But I feel it close around me as I pray.

Heavenly Father, I remember now,
Something that Jesus told disciples long ago: 
"Suffer the children to come to me." 
Father in prayer I'm coming now to thee.

Pray, He is there. 
Speak, He is listening. 
You are his child, 
His love now surrounds you.

He hears your prayer, 
He loves the children, 
Of such is the Kingdom, 
The Kingdom of Heav'n.

A song that I had learned and loved as a child, took on a new and beautiful meaning, as I sang the words to my beloved Grandmother as she prepared to leave this earth.  A song that I liked, has now become one that I love and one that I will treasure, because of the sacred memory I have tucked away with it. 

It was only a few minutes after I'd finished singing, that my Grandma opened her eyes.  It took a little while, but eventually she regained consciousness and we were given the gift of one more precious afternoon to spend with Grandma, as she talked to us, visited with us and loved us.  And we were given the chance to tell her how much we love her and to serve her and love her.  Some would say it was coincidence or luck or chance.  Some would say it was a miracle.  All I know is that it was a gift and a blessing and one for which I am deeply and eternally grateful.


Yeah.  He's there.  And He hears.  And He answers.