Art and Parenthood

In light of this week's song I was thinking about art that relates to parenthood. I remembered this mixed-media piece I did for my daughter before she was born. I handwrote Diane di Prima's poem "Song for Baby-O, Unborn" on a piece of lined paper, finger painted around it and she's had it on her wall ever since.

What about you?

Do you have any artwork or poems or songs that mean something to you about being a parent or make you think of your childhood?

Song #10: I See You Sitting There

"A child's spirit is like a child, you can never catch it by running after it; you must stand still, and, for love, it will soon itself come back."

(Arthur Miller)

One Saturday afternoon I was watching my five-year-old daughter playing and realized I had never written a song for her. I grabbed my guitar and a pen and "I See You Sitting There" was written right there on the spot.

NOTE: I'm cheating a bit on my rule of writing one NEW song each week, as I wrote this piece several months ago. When I initially finished this, I shared it with a few of my close friends, but am now finally releasing it publicly since I've been on vacation for the holidays.

PLAY:

 LYRICS:

I see you sitting there

In your painted chair

You've got your dolls out

Fingers in your mouth

I see you sitting there

In your ballet tights,

it's almost time to say goodnight

And when I catch your eyes 

I can see that life's worthwhile

Couldn't be more proud of you

And your precious smile

I never knew I could fall in love

so quickly, so fiercely with someone

You are my favorite blessing from God

I see you dancing there

Twirling around the chairs

It nearly makes me cry

You got your mama's eyes

And your pretty face

Is lighting up the room

I know it's cliche to say it:

But I don't know when you got so big

Makes me want to hold on to just this moment

It too will go with the wind

I never knew I could fall in love

so quickly, so fiercely with someone

You are my favorite blessing from God

Sweetheart when you get older,

I will still remember all these times

I see you lying there

You got your PJs on

One foot hanging out

From that ratty old blanket you drag along

I say a prayer for you

And kiss you on the head

I never knew I could fall in love

so quickly, so fiercely with someone

You are my favorite blessing from God