The Power of Song

Nine and a half years ago I found myself up at Primary Children's Hospital with my oldest son. It was hard. Some days we didn't know if he would make it. I sat many long hours with him, praying that someday I would be able to take my new born baby home. A couple weeks into our stay, my former mission president payed us a visit. He greeted me with a hug and a smile, and then posed this question. "Have you sung to him?" There were so many things that he could have said or asked, but he chose to ask if I had sung to my baby. "No," was my reply. He said, "You know, singing is what he knows. He recognizes you through song. Sing to him and he will get better. Your voice will have a healing power upon him." After he left I began to sing. I still read and talked to H, but instead of having doubt and fear that I would lose my only child, I used that time to sing. I sang for hours believing that I had that healing power within me. After a few days of singing, I was able to bring my baby home. Ever since that experience, I have been able to calm, reassure, comfort, relax and sooth (basically heal their anxiety and stress) through song. I have been able to do this with my first four children at any given time, but with the fifth it has been a different story. As I have sung to him, he has pushed me away and has even said, "No, no song!" I have felt lost with him, not being able to use my voice like I have with my other children. Last night was different though as I laid by little j on his bed. He was quite restless for a while. Tossing and turning seemed to be the theme. But in an instant it all changed. He rolled over and faced me. He put his hand on my cheek and said, "song." I asked, "Song? You want mommy to sing you a song?" He held my hand and began to rub it. He said, "Song. Chi Gah." I couldn't believe it. I laid in a puddle of tears last night as I sang, I Am a Child of God to my two year old, over and over again. My world felt so complete. I felt as though I was the one who had been healed; and all by the power of song.