Earlier this year a friend of mine, Sharee, (who happens to be the most talented musician I have ever known - and that is not an exaggeration - - and I know a lot of musicians) told me that she had composed a song titled, Mama Don't Cry For Me, and she wanted me to listen to it. So she came over to the house and sat at my piano and proceeded to sing a beautiful song. The words connected deep within me as I heard her tell - through music - the story of a mother learning that her child would have special needs.
Here are some of the lyrics that really spoke to me:
7 tests and 13 weeks of doctors; she heard the words no mother wants to hear. Her little boy won't be like the others, he's gonna need a lot of help through the years.
...She couldn't hardly breathe so she just listened; when the doctors left the room she came undone....
....She looked in his eyes and her heart heard him say, 'Can't you see? I was meant to be? Mama don't cry for me'.
Here are some of the lyrics that really spoke to me:
7 tests and 13 weeks of doctors; she heard the words no mother wants to hear. Her little boy won't be like the others, he's gonna need a lot of help through the years.
...She couldn't hardly breathe so she just listened; when the doctors left the room she came undone....
....She looked in his eyes and her heart heard him say, 'Can't you see? I was meant to be? Mama don't cry for me'.
Oh, how vividly I remember that moment in my life. That moment where my world changed; the moment I realized that childhood for Elisabeth wasn't going to be about playing dress-up and performing at ballet recitals; the moment where my heart broke in two and I was trying to understand just how I was supposed to continue on in the midst of such heartbreak.
I know now that I am not alone. Over the course of the past 4 years I have met many parents across the country who are also raising special needs children. And I have come to realize that we all had that experience; that distinct moment of time where the world is spinning in circles and you can't figure out which way to go.
But I have also came to learn that that moment doesn't last. The heartache settles and it is quickly replaced with deep feelings of gratitude, love and awe. I look at Elisabeth each and every day and I simply can't believe that she's mine. How did I get so lucky? How did I earn the privilege of raising a child so perfect and pure?
Anyways, back to my friend, Sharee. She is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Association International and 'Mama Don't Cry For Me' is in the top 100 (out of 3000!) songs being considered for a publishers luncheon in Nashville on Sept 8th! So keep your fingers crossed that it goes big!
I would love for you to go listen to 'Mama Don't Cry For Me'. It is available for free download at Sharee's website, HarkerWolfley.com.
And please, please share her music with others you know!
Thank you, Sharee, for making such a lovely song - it touched my heart greatly!
[The talented and beautiful Sharee Wolfley.]
[comments open for today - so go listen to Sharee's song and then come back and pay her a compliment or two :)]
Click here to go listen to it.
