By: Lora Wimsatt
She wasn’t crying, so I don’t know why I started to sing that song.
It had been years since I’d crooned that lullaby, but the words came right back to me, smooth and natural and easy. I didn’t have to cast about for what came next – it was right there, ready and waiting.
“Hush, little baby, don’t say a word, Granma’s gonna buy you a mockingbird.”
Okay, last time I sang it – about 20 years ago – I said “Momma” instead of “Granma,” but now I was holding my little grandgirl in my arms, walking slowly across the lawn, staring intently into her eyes even as she stared into mine.
She is too young to understand the words. Well, maybe a few of them were familiar, but I’m pretty sure she doesn’t know what a mockingbird is. I don’t think I knew until I was about 15, myself.
“If that mockingbird don’t sing, Granma’s gonna buy you a diamond ring.”
The truth of the matter is, I would be more likely to buy her a mockingbird than a diamond ring. “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend,” or so they say, or so they used to say. I don’t know if they say it anymore. Maybe they figured out that was never true. I’m just not that into jewelry, but even if I were going to buy my grandgirl a ring, it would be silver, and if it had a stone, it would be amethyst or maybe jade, which I think are pretty.
“If that diamond ring turns brass, Granma’s gonna buy you a looking glass.”
Again, unlikely. My granddaughter is beautiful, but I want her to rely more on self-reflection than reflection from a piece of glass for that affirmation.
“If that looking glass gets broke, Granma’s gonna buy you a horse and cart.”
Now we’re talkin’! A horse and cart would be fun. Hitch ’em up and let ’er roll! Action, adventure and the potential of exploring new horizons – yep, this is a gift I could get excited about!
But alas, there was one more verse:
“If that horse and cart runs away, Granma’s gonna buy you another day … another day … another day …”
I repeat the closing phrase over and over, my voice going soft and quiet. She is still gazing into my eyes, listening to my heart if not the lyrics, as I promise this baby, this child, this little girl that no matter what happens, no matter what disappointments, heartaches and losses she may endure in life, my love for her will always be there, today and tomorrow and another day. Forever.
