I've written before that every night as part of Ryan's bedtime routine, the last thing I do before placing him into his crib is rock and sing to him. I've sung dozens and dozens of songs to him over the past two years, one of them being "My Favorite Things." About a year ago, I realized while many of the things in the song I like, they're not necessarily my favorite. I do enjoy a good, crisp apple strudel, and I think wild geese are quite lovely, especially with the moon on their wings. However, I'm not sure I'd categorize them as my favorite things.
So while I was singing it once again, rocking my baby to sleep, I changed the lyrics a bit to talk about the things that are really my favorite. Here's my version, sung now dozens and dozens of times to my little boy. It's not all my favorite things of course, just a few that really matter to me.
The day I got married and became a Mrs.
Sweet baby boys and their mommy's soft kisses,
Sparkling diamonds on my wedding rings,
These are a few of my favorite things.
Playtime with Daddy and rocking with Mommy
The look on his face when my husband first saw me,
The love that we share and the flowers he brings,
These are a few of my favorite things.
Making a gift for somebody who loves me,
The day you were born and I became a mommy,
Listening to my own mom as she sings,
These are a few of my favorite things.
Your cute little feet, especially your toes,
Watching my sweet baby boy as he grows,
Feeling so happy it's like I have wings,
These are a few of my favorite things.
When the bills pile,
When I can't smile,
When I'm feeling sad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don't feel so bad.
Perhaps I will add more verses as time goes by, as there are so many things that are my favorite. For example, I LOVE the Fall. It is my favorite season. It fills my whole soul with joy seeing the leaves change color, making tasty treats with pumpkin, going for walks, wearing argyle sweaters, drinking cider on the porch, and so many other things. In fact, I think I could write another four verses to "My Favorite Things" just about the Fall. Perhaps "crisp apple strudels" can stay in that one. Maybe even warm, woolen mittens, too!