Thursday, November 20, 2008

We Are The World

Grace has a new fascination. It isn't based on any real life experience, but rather on the title of a show that she has seen approximately three times. The show is "Angelina Ballerina". She now insists on being called 'Gracie Ballerina" (or in her pronunciation 'Dadie Ba-rina'). No other name or nickname will do. So today, I told her that there was a song called "Ballerina Girl", and that I would play it for her so she could dance. She was fascinated, and even wore her ballerina tutu to fully experience the occasion. She danced, hummed, and promptly returned to watching "Yo Gabba Gabba" as soon as the song was done.

I, however, had a different experience. I was reminded of my undying love for all things Lionel Ritchie, and proceeded to watch a half dozen videos from his songs of the past. By the way, all of this was much to the dismay of my daughter, who complained that she could not hear her show!! Bummer, girl. This is Lionel Ritchie after all. Anyway, the last video I watched was "We are the World" by USA for Africa. I listened to this song over and over as a little girl, but I was never moved by it like I was today. It suddenly occurred to me, as I had tears streaming down my face, that this movement in the mid-80's probably saved my daughter's birth-mom, which is the only reason that she is part of our family today. Oy! I was just trying to please my three-year-old's new ballet obsession, but instead ended up having a serious "come to Jesus moment". So, with that in mind.....Thank you Jesus. Thank you for the song that saved a generation. Thank you for the generation that we have had the pleasure of helping as well. You are so good, God, and lest anyone forget what our their mission here on this planet is, here's the song....

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks Blaine....that was awesome to hear again. I too used to listen to that song a lot as a child. So weird to see Michael Jackson black again?!?!? Haha!

Perri said...

Thanks for the flashback.. I knew I was doing a good job as a mom when I was naming off the singers as they sang and Jacob (11) asked, "Who's Michael Jackson?"

writex3 said...

I love that song, too!!!

We need pictures of your little ballerina as well!

PJ Academy said...

Valerie - I thought the same thing about Michael! He looked so much better in the 80's!

That song took me back.....back farther then I cared to go too LOL :)

Jennifer

Eileen said...

Thanks for the reminder and the purpose behind that awesome song and mission. Remember this one too, which actually started it all off, if memory serves.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jEnTSQStGE