Photo Source: https://pixabay.com/en/two-hearts-red-heart-love-symbol-631344/
When Chelsea was born 21 years ago today, I knew the second she came into the world she would be a force to be reckoned with. She didn't cry. She had to be tapped on the bottom with the doctor’s first two fingers before she started to sound like a sweet little lamb. (It wasn't the last time she would be tapped on the bottom for her rebellious nature!) But that cry had a certain tone to it – it was different and I knew it right away.
Every night when Chelsea was little, she and I had a ritual after her night-time bath. I would blow dry her hair and sing a song I knew from when I was a kid called Blue to the Bone. I have no idea where I learned it or how I knew it – just seemed like it had always been there. When the blow dryer would go, I would sing it to Chelsea and by the time the song was done, her hair would be dry. One night, she started to sing it first. Her voice sounded just so pretty – and she was so stinkin’ cute! So I started to sing with her, only I added harmony. Much to my surprise she held her own and a beautiful sound emerged from the lovely acoustics of the bathroom! (oxy-moronic statement much?)
For my birthday one year, Adrian got a friend of ours, Vic Mignona, to record us singing this song. He had a recording studio in his home and he does a lot of professional production work, among other things. Vic added some music and even had Adrian add some bass to the end chorus! (Picture “Daddy Sang Bass” a la Johnny Cash!)
It was a wonderful gift, as was Chelsea being born. I still listen to it and when I do, I can’t believe my Little Lamb is all grown up. She has been through very hard times with grace, and it has pushed her faith to the limit. But that little rebel never let those times make her blue to the bone. Instead she created her own song in life, realizing that the decisions she made would create her legacy – understanding life is not always beautiful harmony, but to make the most for every bit of it and be thankful for the opportunity to have a purpose here in this life.
Happy Birthday, Chelsea Dane. I love you. Thank you for making my life better.
Here is the recording of Chelsea and I singing Blue to the Bone (featuring Adrian singing bass at the end):
