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Tuesday, December 4, 2012

when your mother sings to you


Watching White Christmas last night, one of my favorite movies, and the best Christmas movie there is, I realized something from the first song Bing belts out. All I hear is my mother's voice singing over him.  He sings a few words and my mind settles into deep nostalgia. How many times my mom has sang this song to us, in the car, on the couch, making dinner, falling asleep?  I smiled through the entire movie hearing her voice and the comments she would make on Vera Ellen's tiny waist - she was obsessed with it. Absolutely obsessed. Still is. Here is the part she would fast forward and say was weird, now. Aren't those dresses ugly?  It was like she was sitting there with me.

"The best things, happen when you're dancing..." Imagine my mom sweeping this little girl off her feet, into a gallant waltz in our old kitchen with the ugliest tiles you've ever seen.  We'd dance and sing, and I would giggle and spin. It was heaven. Dancing creates some of the best memories, and I'm convinced from this memory that we all must dance with our loved ones.  You won't regret it, you'll laugh, you'll hold each other. There's just something about dancing. 

A long, long time from now, I'll watch White Christmas just to hear my mother's voice. Hear her sing, feel her spin me. Maybe it won't be so long from now, it might just be next week.


9 comments:

Cheryl said...

Emma,
How wonderful that you have such a wonderful memory... and mother!!

Donna Boucher said...

Thank you for dancing with me. It's been my joy and delight.
And thank you for being so sweet and not yelling at me for ruining the movie by talking so much and singing along. Not all moms are so blessed.

Vera Ellen's calf is bigger than her thigh.

Rebekah said...

You're killin' me, Em. You all and your love for each other breaks me up every time. I'm more obsessed with Vera Ellen's legs. HOLY SMOKES!!!! That scene when the dance starts out with the guys just staring at her legs - Yowza! She's amazing.

Amy said...

Nothing like being a sobbing mess first thing in the morning! What a beautiful post, and I feel like I could have written it. White Christmas was mine and my Mother's favorite movie. My Mom passed away one year ago today. This Sunday my husband and I will go see White Christmas at our historical movie theater in our town, and I too will hear my Mother's voice.

Amy said...

Nothing like being a sobbing mess first thing in the morning! What a beautiful post, and I feel like I could have written it. White Christmas was mine and my Mother's favorite movie. My Mom passed away one year ago today. This Sunday my husband and I will go see White Christmas at our historical movie theater in our town, and I too will hear my Mother's voice.

Donna Boucher said...

(((Amy))) Im so sorry to hear about your mom.
Love to you!

Jamie Janosz said...

Oh - this is so beautiful - I love this movie, too. And, I think her waist IS crazy tiny. How is that even possible!? The image of you dancing with your mom is one of sheer joy!

Amy said...

Within the first few words of your post, my mom's own voice of singing "Good Morning!" from Singing in the Rain. She used to sing it to us every school morning as she opened our doors and turned on the lights. She stopped doing it some as we got into high school but it still rings through my head. Thanks for bringing up the great memories.

Bethany said...

Who's got 2 thumbs & just checked your mom's blog for the first time since her trip to Chicago? This girl. :) Worlds collided here when I saw your post today. It was so good to meet you.

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