{"id":587,"date":"2017-10-19T22:00:37","date_gmt":"2017-10-19T20:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/daddyblogger.co.za\/?p=587"},"modified":"2017-10-21T13:53:52","modified_gmt":"2017-10-21T11:53:52","slug":"my-song-for-sasha","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/daddyblogger.co.za\/index.php\/2017\/10\/19\/my-song-for-sasha\/","title":{"rendered":"My Song For Sasha"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><strong>My Song for Sasha<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>It started one evening as I was listening to Garth Brooks\u2019 song &#8216;If Tomorrow Never Comes&#8217;:<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em>And if my time on earth were through<br \/>\nAnd she must face this world without me<br \/>\nIs the love I gave her in the past<br \/>\nGonna be enough to last<br \/>\nIf tomorrow never comes<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/BX98ZaL8GHw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>No, I am not planning on going anywhere. And I hope to be around to torture her with my dad jokes, bore her to tears with my stories and offer her loads of useless advice for many, many years to come. But what song would I write for her, what advice would I offer her on so many challenges and joys she will face in the future? Not being a songwriter myself, I thought I would turn to the words of others who have shared their advice and meaning of life with us through their songs.<\/p>\n<p>So, in no particular order, here is <em><strong>\u201cMy Song for Sasha\u201d<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n<h3><strong>Love<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Love comes in so many forms: love of life, love of family, love of friends, love of your partner. But never overlook the love of self. This is not vanity; this is not narcissism. It is an essential quality. For how can others love you if you do not love yourself?<\/p>\n<p>For this song I have chosen \u2018The Greatest Love Of All\u2019 by one of your favourite performers, Whitney Houston:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em>Because the greatest love of all is happening to me.<br \/>\nI found the greatest love of all inside of me.<br \/>\nThe greatest love of all is easy to achieve.<br \/>\nLearning to love yourself is the greatest love of all.<\/em><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/IYzlVDlE72w?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n<h3><strong>Life<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>It will have its ups and downs, but I promise you there are always more ups than downs &#8211; and life is what you make of it.<\/p>\n<p>For my second song to you, I have chosen my mother\u2019s favourite song, \u2018Desiderata\u2019. So much great advice on living life and what to expect from it crammed into one song. My chosen lines to you are:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em><span style=\"color: #800000;\">You are a child of the universe.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"> No less than the trees and the stars, you have a right to be here.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"> And whether or not it is clear to you,<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"> No doubt the universe is unfolding as it should<\/span>.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/3bUTcy6w2Rw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n<h3><strong>Loss<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, there will be loss in your life: loss of innocence, loss of dreams, loss of hope, occasionally &#8211; and sadly, loss of life. Some will experience it sooner than others, some more than others and I can only hope you experience as little of it as possible. But remember, despite the hurt and the pain and the feeling that you can\u2019t go on, you can and you will.<\/p>\n<p>This song is by R.E.M. and it is called \u2018Everybody Hurts\u2019:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em>Don&#8217;t let yourself go<br \/>\n&#8216;Cause everybody cries<br \/>\nAnd everybody hurts sometimes<\/em><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5rOiW_xY-kc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n<h3><strong>Religion <\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>So, this is a tricky one. Religion means so much to so many people. What advice can I offer you here? Perhaps it is to trust in your own beliefs and allow others to trust in theirs. Have respect for others, even if their beliefs may differ from your own. Don\u2019t be swayed too easily to change yours either, even when the time comes that you do have unanswered questions. Even if you don\u2019t always have or understand religion, have faith.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, I turned to one of our favorites for this one, Jeff Buckley and \u2018Hallelujah\u2019:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em>Maybe there&#8217;s a God above<br \/>\nBut all I&#8217;ve ever learned from love<br \/>\nWas how to shoot somebody who outdrew ya<br \/>\nAnd it&#8217;s not a cry that you hear at night<br \/>\nIt&#8217;s not someone who&#8217;s seen the light<br \/>\nIt&#8217;s a cold and it&#8217;s a broken hallelujah<\/em><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/y8AWFf7EAc4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n<h3><strong>Youth<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>My advice? Don\u2019t rush to grow up even as you grow older. Enjoy your youth and hold onto it. The advice may not be easy to follow but the choice of song was a no-brainer. It\u2019s one I have sung to you so many times; we have listened to countless times; and, of course, I have written these words to you too.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018Forever Young\u2019 by Bob Dylan, poet extraordinaire:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em>May your hands always be busy<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em> May your feet always be swift<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em> May you have a strong foundation<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em> When the winds of changes shift<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em>May your heart always be joyful<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em> May your song always be sung<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em> And may you stay<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em> Forever young<\/em><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/P1fSVbBwVX8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n<h3><strong>Hopes &amp; Dreams<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The things that life is made from. Dream big, young lady, for really big things await you. But don\u2019t forget to wipe that sleep from your eyes and go out there and make them come true. I already marvel at your strength and commitment and how you chase your dreams. Keep that up!<\/p>\n<p>Couldn\u2019t write the whole song without a little Disney, could I? It\u2019s \u2018The Circle Of Life\u2019 from <em>The Lion King<\/em>, featuring Carmen Twillie, Lebo M:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em>It\u2019s the circle of life<br \/>\nAnd it moves us all<br \/>\nThrough despair and hope<br \/>\nThrough faith and love<br \/>\nTill we find our place<br \/>\nOn the path unwinding<br \/>\nIn the circle<br \/>\nThe circle of life<\/em><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/GibiNy4d4gc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n<h3><strong>Disappointment<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Of course, you will face disappointment in your life &#8211; we all do. But how you choose to react to it is in your hands and yours alone. Face it, head on. It\u2019s not going anywhere. Then lift your head and move on. There is so much more waiting for you to achieve and succeed at. Disappointment is temporary. So much more awaits you.<\/p>\n<p>Here is a Leonard Cohen song, one of the few we have not listened to together \u2013 yet. It is called \u2018Anthem\u2019:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em>The birds they sang<br \/>\nat the break of day<br \/>\nStart again<br \/>\nI seem to hear them say<br \/>\nDon&#8217;t dwell on what<br \/>\nhas passed away<br \/>\nor what is yet to be.<br \/>\nAh the wars they will<br \/>\nbe fought again<br \/>\nThe holy dove<br \/>\nShe will be caught again<br \/>\nbought and sold<br \/>\nand bought again<br \/>\nthe dove is never free.<\/em><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/6wRYjtvIYK0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n<h3><strong>Sickness &amp; Pain<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>We all face sickness and pain. I know you have seen it around you, watched how challenging it can be, how much it takes from all of us. There are no guarantees in life, and sickness comes to us when we least expect it and certainly feel like we least deserve it. Look after yourself. Guard your health and never trade it for wealth. For no amount of wealth can bring you health.<\/p>\n<p>Take a listen to Wilson Phillips performing \u2018Hold On\u2019:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em>I know that there is pain<br \/>\nBut you hold on for one more day and<br \/>\nBreak free the chains<br \/>\nYeah I know that there is pain<br \/>\nBut you hold on for one more day and you<br \/>\nBreak free, break from the chains<\/em><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/uIbXvaE39wM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n<h3><strong>Your Body<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Eventually I was going to have to turn to \u2018Class Of 99 Wear Sunscreen\u2019, a song recorded by Baz Luhrman &#8211; and, of course, I am going to send you to the video I made for you and Awa so long ago. With over 2m views, it can\u2019t be too bad. Look after your body and enjoy it. Be proud of it and love it!<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em>Enjoy your body, use it every way you can<br \/>\nDon&#8217;t be afraid of it or what other people think of it<br \/>\nIt&#8217;s the greatest instrument you&#8217;ll ever own, dance<br \/>\nEven if you have nowhere to do it but your own living room<br \/>\nRead the directions even if you don&#8217;t follow them<br \/>\nDo not read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly<\/em><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/bwVVpwBKUp0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n<h3>On Being A Woman<\/h3>\n<p>Of course, I have absolutely no experience on this subject but hey, that has never stopped me from voicing my opinion now, has it? As I watch you grow up from this amazing young girl into a spirited and independent woman, I just burst with pride. My advice? Be a strong, independent woman! Or perhaps that is three pieces of advice in one: Be STRONG. Value yourself and your own beliefs; fight for them and for those of the people around you that you care for. Be INDEPENDENT. That does not mean be alone; it does not mean never accept or seek help when you need it. It means learn to rely on yourself too. Learn to trust your own judgment and don&#8217;t be led by those around you simply because they are louder than you are. Be A WOMAN, and be proud of it! You are this remarkable mixture of strength and vulnerability; physically strong, mentally tough, and yet, still so sensitive to those around you. It is what makes you YOU and it always will. Don&#8217;t give any of that up.<\/p>\n<p>Here are the words of Helen Reddy and &#8216;I am Woman&#8217;:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em>I am woman, watch me grow<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"> <em>See me standing toe-to-toe<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"> <em>As I spread my loving arms across the land<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"> <em>But I&#8217;m still an embryo<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"> <em>With a long, long way to go<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"> <em>Until I make my brother understand<\/em><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Zu4xpDuf84A?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n<h3><strong>Growing Older<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>It may seem a million years away but eventually, it catches up with all of us. You may not have the option of growing older but you can choose not to grow old. Those moments come at a different time for each of us, and for me, it came at the age of 48 years, 1 month and 1 day. That was the moment I realised I was now older than my mom was when she passed away. I was not afraid or suddenly sad &#8211; I was filled with a desire to live every second as best I could.<\/p>\n<p>Here is Neil Young\u2019s \u2018Old Man\u2019:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em>Old man look at my life,<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em> I&#8217;m a lot like you were.<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em> Old man look at my life,<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em> I&#8217;m a lot like you were.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em>Old man look at my life,<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em> Twenty four<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em> and there&#8217;s so much more<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em> Live alone in a paradise<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em> That makes me think of two.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em>Love lost, such a cost,<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em> Give me things<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em> that don&#8217;t get lost.<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em> Like a coin that won&#8217;t get tossed<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em> Rolling home to you.<\/em><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/H6otmy3DAK8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n<h3><strong>Money<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>So, maybe I am not the best person to offer you advice on this topic. It&#8217;s not my strong suit, but then there is so much more to life than just money. Of course, it is important and it buys so many of the essential and wonderful things you need and want. Just be careful you don\u2019t trade too much for it. Find the balance and look after it.<\/p>\n<p>Here is Tevia from <em>Fiddler on the Roof<\/em> with \u2018If I Were a Rich Man\u2019:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em>Dear God, you made many, many poor people.<br \/>\nI realize, of course, that it&#8217;s no shame to be poor.<br \/>\nBut it&#8217;s no great honor either!<br \/>\nSo, what would have been so terrible if I had a small fortune<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em>Lord who made the lion and the lamb,<br \/>\nYou decreed I should be what I am.<br \/>\nWould it spoil some vast eternal plan?<br \/>\nIf I were a wealthy man.<\/em><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RBHZFYpQ6nc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n<h3><strong>Boys<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>You have heard my advice on boys so many times. A boy only needs to have three qualities: He must respect you for who you are; he must be able to make a decent braai (BBQ); and he must support Liverpool. Liverpool supporters understand pain; they understand waiting; and they understand that you can\u2019t always get what you want.<\/p>\n<p>Here are the Rolling Stones with \u2018You Can\u2019t Always Get What You Want\u2019:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em>I saw her today at the reception<br \/>\nIn her glass was a bleeding man<br \/>\nShe was practiced at the art of deception<br \/>\nWell I could tell by her blood-stained hands<br \/>\nYou can&#8217;t always get what you want<br \/>\nYou can&#8217;t always get what you want<br \/>\nYou can&#8217;t always get what you want<br \/>\nBut if you try sometimes you just might find<br \/>\nYou just might find<br \/>\nYou get what you need<\/em><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/XIX0ZDqDljA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Girls<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Nice girls, mean girls, girls that care and girls that don\u2019t &#8211; you are sure to cross paths with all of them from time to time. Friends are important. They will be with you through the good times and the bad &#8211; but not always. Don\u2019t judge too quickly if they&#8217;re not. We all have our lives to live and sometimes we get caught up in our own stuff. Cherish the friends you make and especially the ones you keep.<\/p>\n<p>A compilation list without The Beatles would just be wrong, so here\u2019s \u2018A Little Help From My Friends\u2019:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em>What do I do when my love is away?<br \/>\n(Does it worry you to be alone?)<br \/>\nHow do I feel by the end of the day?<br \/>\n(Are you sad because you&#8217;re on your own?)<br \/>\nNo I get by with a little help from my friends<br \/>\nMm I get high with a little help from my friends<br \/>\nMm gonna try with a little help from my friends<\/em><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/SkyqRP8S93Y?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n<h3><strong>Marriage<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Some marriages work, some don\u2019t. Sadly, you and almost everyone else know that already. In <em>Class of 99,<\/em> he says: \u201cMaybe you&#8217;ll marry, maybe you won&#8217;t; maybe you&#8217;ll have children, maybe you won&#8217;t; maybe you&#8217;ll divorce at 40, maybe you&#8217;ll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary.\u201d I wish I could tell you that everything is forever, but it just ain&#8217;t. I believe the secret is in communication and forgiveness &#8211; and I will get to that a bit later. He\u2019s out there somewhere, Bubster.<\/p>\n<p>You knew I was going to sneak Brandi Carlile in here somewhere with \u2018The Story\u2019:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em>All of these lines across my face<br \/>\nTell you the story of who I am<br \/>\nSo many stories of where I&#8217;ve been<br \/>\nAnd how I got to where I am<br \/>\nBut these stories don&#8217;t mean anything<br \/>\nWhen you&#8217;ve got no one to tell them to<br \/>\nIt&#8217;s true&#8230; I was made for you<\/em><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/o8pQLtHTPaI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n<h3><strong>Work<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Well, I certainly can\u2019t tell you what work to do. That\u2019s changing way too fast! I mean, who would have thought you could grow up to be a YouTuber and make more money than God? There are so many clich\u00e9s out there, like: \u201cDo what you love and love what you do\u201d, and a multitude of others. My advice? Follow your passion and put in the 10&nbsp;000 hours that Malcolm Gladwell spoke about in <em>Outliers<\/em>. You will be so happy you did. There will be times you may be doing a less-than-ideal job and earning a less-than-ideal wage. Work it! There are opportunities out there.<\/p>\n<p>An iconic, upbeat song that has some pretty hard-hitting lines about work, here is Dolly Parton&#8217;s \u20189 to 5\u2019:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em>Workin&#8217; 9 to 5<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em> What a way to make a livin&#8217;<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em> Barely gettin&#8217; by<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em> It&#8217;s all takin&#8217; and no givin&#8217;<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em>They just use your mind<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em> And they never give you credit<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em> It&#8217;s enough to drive you<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em> Crazy if you let it<\/em><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/LwDMFOLIHxU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n<h3><strong>Letting Go Of The Past<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>You want real happiness. \u201cThere&#8217;s the rub,\u201d as The Bard would say. Learn to forgive, learn to forget, and learn to move on. Harbouring grudges is like slowly taking poison in the hope that the other person will die. Of course, people will wrong you. Of course, not everything will go your way. It\u2019s not about burning bridges, it\u2019s about letting go and forgiving &#8211; not for their sake but for your soul&#8217;s sake.<\/p>\n<p>Here is Johnny Nash singing about when things clear up, in \u2018I Can See Clearly Now\u2019:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em>Oh, yes I can make it now the pain is gone.<br \/>\nAll of the bad feelings have disappeared.<br \/>\nHere is that rainbow I&#8217;ve been praying for.<br \/>\nIt&#8217;s gonna be a bright (bright)<br \/>\nbright (bright) sunshiny day.<\/em><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/FscIgtDJFXg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n<h3><strong>While I Am Here<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>I am your dad &#8211; always will be! Yes, you have me wrapped around your little finger and there is nowhere I would rather be. I will be here when you need me and I will be here when you don\u2019t. As I once wrote to you, when you came into my life, I was filled with such lofty ambitions and high ideals. I was going to teach you right from wrong; and I was going to teach you to be a good person, to show kindness, to give charity, to care for others and to put them first. I was going to teach you to live your life to the fullest, to see the fun in all you do, to suck the marrow from the bones of life and to never waste a single second. Little did I know that Hashem had, in fact, sent you to teach ME those lessons! And for that, I am eternally grateful to BOTH of you.<\/p>\n<p>For my inspiration, I turned to \u201cThe Boss\u201d, Bruce Springsteen, with \u2018When You Need Me\u2019:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em>When you need me call my name<br \/>\n&#8216;Cause without you my life just wouldn&#8217;t be the same<br \/>\nIf you want me come sunny skies or rain<br \/>\nWhen you need me just call my name<\/em><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/WY2-hUoq3iQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n<h3><strong>One Day When I Am Gone<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>I know this is the one you don\u2019t want to read or even think about. But one day, you will face the world without me. It will be a long time from now and nothing I say will prepare you for it. But you are strong. And the love and lessons we have shared you will pass on to your family. Will I ever be able to tell you how much I love you or how much you mean to me? I doubt it. So, I will simply have to show you, instead.<\/p>\n<p>There are no sad songs for this one, only sunshine. &#8216;Somewhere over the Rainbow&#8217; by Israel \u201cIZ\u201d Kamakawiwo&#8217;ole:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em>Someday I&#8217;ll wish upon a star<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em> Wake up where the clouds are far behind me<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em> Where trouble melts like lemon drops<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em> High above the chimney top<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em> That&#8217;s where you&#8217;ll find me<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em>Oh, somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em> And the dream that you dare to,<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em> Oh why, oh why can&#8217;t I?<\/em><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/V1bFr2SWP1I?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong>I can only hope you smiled through that and even laughed a little. Perhaps you shed a tear or struggled to swallow the lump in your throat. This is not just for you, Bubster, it&#8217;s for so many who just need to be reminded from time to time. You inspire me every day through your deeds and actions and this is just a little something from me to you. I can only hope it will help inspire and guide you in the years to come.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><em><strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>To those of you who have stumbled upon this piece, thank you for taking the time and trouble to read it. I hope it has brought you some joy. Feel free to share it as you like and drop me a note if you feel there is a lesson I missed or a song that means something to you. Thank you, all.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>My Song for Sasha It started one evening as I was listening to Garth Brooks\u2019 song &#8216;If Tomorrow Never Comes&#8217;: And if my time on earth were through And she must face this world without me Is the love I gave her in the past Gonna be [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":33,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18,22,2,35,10,9],"tags":[20,7,6,21,8,36,31,19,30,5,3,4,11,13,25,12],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/daddyblogger.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/587"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/daddyblogger.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/daddyblogger.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/daddyblogger.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/daddyblogger.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=587"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"http:\/\/daddyblogger.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/587\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":612,"href":"http:\/\/daddyblogger.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/587\/revisions\/612"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/daddyblogger.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/33"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/daddyblogger.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=587"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/daddyblogger.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=587"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/daddyblogger.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=587"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}