Grateful For Music Challenge Day 19

Song: I Hope You Dance

Artist: Lee Ann Womack

Since today is my mother's birthday, I thought this song would be incredibly fitting to share. Why? Because, all my life, whenever this song would come on the radio, my mom would tell me how she always thought of me whenever she heard this song. I don't know if it's because of something I did or said at one point in my childhood or something she saw in me back then, but for some reason or other she has always associated this song with me. It's a beautiful song. But it's one I feel undeserving of and that I feel I have disappointed my mom by. I suppose, as a parent (not being a parent myself, I can't really be sure) but I assume that you want the best for your children. You want them to have everything good in life. I know that's what my mom desires for each of her children. Again, I don't know why my mom associates this song with me as I have never amounted to anything. I have never taken a risk in my life, I literally do "sit out" instead of "dance." It makes me sad that my mom held these hopes and desires for me and I have never achieved anything (the lyrics "Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder where those years have gone" are especially painful for me...). Perhaps my mom has always seen too much of herself in me and hoped for better. I'm not saying my mother hasn't achieved anything in her life (because she absolutely has!) but I know I have gotten a lot of my insecurities and fears from her (something I have noticed the older I get). She is a shy person, who prefers to fly below the radar, which isn't always a negative thing but I  have seen it impact her life in less than ideal ways and in a result, my own as well, as I've shied away from many opportunities. 

I hate to be so depressing on this post highlighting a beautiful and inspiring song! I just can't help but feel a little sad and guilty whenever I listen to this song, especially recently. Regardless, I still love this song and am presenting two versions today. The original, of course, but also a cover by Mat & Savana Shaw. This father-daughter duet is what reminded me of my mom, that parent's wish for their child. I hope I will someday learn how to "dance" and make my mother proud! 💛 I am grateful for my mother and her love, hopes and prayers on my behalf! She has always been an outstanding role model and my biggest cheerleader in life! 

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder

You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger

May you never take one single breath for granted

God forbid love ever leave you empty-handed

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean

Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens

Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance, I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance

Never settle for the path of least resistance

Livin' might mean takin' chances but they're worth takin'

Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth makin'

Don't let some hell-bent heart leave you bitter

When you come close to sellin' out reconsider

Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance, I hope you dance

(Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along)

I hope you dance, I hope you dance

(Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder where those years have gone)

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean

Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens

Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

Dance 

(Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder where those years have gone)

I hope you dance

(Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder where those years have gone)

I hope you dance, I hope you dance

I hope you dance, I hope you dance

Mat & Savana Shaw

(They are so precious!)

So this version by Ms. Gladys Knight popped up on the youtube search and I have to give her version a listen (as I'm sure she has saturated it with some serious soul!)