Sunday, December 07, 2008

Grown-up Christmas List

It took two full days, but we are decorated and all lit up. When I needed rest and a bit of relief, I visited the backyard birds.

A CD mix of contemporary classic Christmas songs that Gina gave me when she was still in college kept me festive. There is a female vocalist on that CD who sings “My Grown-up Christmas List”. It’s THE BEST rendition I’ve ever heard and it brings me to my knees. Sometimes I weep. Without the CD case, I don’t know who sings these beautiful lyrics. Gina thinks it might be Monica (?). I’ll find out who owns that lovely voice one day and report back. If you know the melody, sing along? I'd sing it to you if I could, but, on second thought, you really don't want to hear me sing.



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Do you remember me?
I sat upon your knee
I wrote to you
with childhood fantasies...

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Well, I'm all grown up now.
Can you still help somehow?

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I'm not a child
but my heart still can dream...

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So here's my lifelong wish,
my grown-up Christmas list,
not for myself
but for a world in need...

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No more lives torn apart,
that wars would never start

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and time would heal all hearts...

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Every man would have a friend
that right would always win
and love would never end...

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This is my grown-up
Christmas list.

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What is this illusion called
the innocence of youth?

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Maybe only in their blind belief
can we ever find the truth?

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There'd be no more lives torn apart
and wars would never start
and time would heal all hearts...
Every man would have a friend
and right would always win
and love would never end...
This is my grown-up Christmas list.
This is my only lifelong wish.
This is my grown-up Christmas list.

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31 comments:

Kim said...

Such a lovely Christmas list. Sadly Santa could never deliver it all on his own without the help of mankind. It is truely what Christmas should be about which is kindess to others whether human, feathered or furred.

I love your bird pictures Mary. I miss my cedar waxwings so much and seeing your put a smile on my face. Love the chickadee photo too.

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

I have an Amy Grant recording of that song. Could that be it?

This has been a bit of a weepy day for me, missing my people. Your post brought a few fresh tears to my eyes, but for a different reason. You made me feel better May.

Robin's Nesting Place said...

Santa can't deliver a perfect world, but I believe one day God will.

Beautiful pictures, Mary. I am loving your new camera. You definitely got the better one!

Anonymous said...

I bet it's Kelly Clarkson's version. She has a beautiful voice:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7zRtLptyc4

Wendy said...

Love your decorating. And the pics, especially the red cardinal. They always look so striking in the winter. Cheers us up!
That's one Christmas list I wish would come true!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Mary, We have that song on our iTunes--but it's done by Donny Osmond. The only female who sang it I think was Amy Grant. It is a gorgeous song.

Love the list, your decorations and your birdies... Beautiful pictures!!!
Hugs,
Betsy

Beth said...

My vote is with Amy Grant, too. I keep pushing repeat when I hear her sing it. Merry Christmas.

Mary said...

Hi All! The female vocalist isn't Amy Grant, Aretha Franklin, Kelly Clarkson - might be Natalie Cole but I don't think so... Now I'm really intrigued. I need to do some research on this one! It's fabulous (to me).

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

May- Go to iTunes, search the song title, then listen to the clips of the song by the different songsters. Maybe you can find it that way.

Mary said...

Thanks, Anon!

I found the version I like:

by Monica,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYI14IU2-f4

said...

Gosh Mary, those lyrics give me the chills; I'm not sure if I've ever heard it before. I will have to look it up on iTunes.

Beth said...

Love that song - love the Amy Grant version - but a girl named 'Monica' does sing it.

Check this out and see if sounds familiar - and let us know:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3bggg_monica-my-grown-up-christmas-list_music

Mary said...

Hi Beths in Maine & VA,

I love Amy Grant, too. Beth in VA - that was an unrehearsed version - listen to the one I hear loudly on the Bose:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYI14IU2-f4

Gina was right!

Mary

beckie said...

Your birds are beautiful, Mary. I don't blame you for taking breaks to visit with them.

What poignant lyrics the song has. I've never heard this one but will try to find it for our Christmas music. Thank you for introducing me to it.

Happy Holidays to you and yours!

A New England Life said...

Mary,

Simple and beautiful. The perfect post : )

NCmountainwoman said...

What a lovely post, Mary.

And judging from the photographs, at least one of your personal Christmas wishes has already come true. Great backyard birds and wonderful photographs of them. Yeah!

Jayne said...

Oh Mary, that's beautiful! And, look at all your backyard visitors!!!! :c)

Unknown said...

Beautiful pictures Mary and so glad to see your back yard birds again.
I have the Clay Aiken version of 'MY Grown -up Christmas List' Love that song.

Angie said...

GORGEOUS, Mary---your decorating, your 'singing', AND your beautiful bird photos!

Lisa at Greenbow said...

I have heard this song before and it is very moving.

NatureWoman said...

What a wonderful Christmas list, Mary. And as always, I love your photos.

Anonymous said...

Lovely lovely images to go with those lyrics, Mary.

Cheryl said...

Hi Mary......I can see why the words nearly bring you to your knees.....I confess to having tears in my eyes as I read it....

Beautiful birdshots.....the male cardinal is a stunner.....I am falling in love with these birds.......

jalynn01 said...

Loved all your pictures, both the decorations and the birds. Nice camera! takes nice shots. I'm gonna look up that song.

Ramblings of a Villas Girl said...

Hi Mary! I love that song. I haven't heard Monica sing it, but I will visit YouTube.

Love your pictures. Lisa

RuthieJ said...

That's a neat song Mary and your pictures go great with it. The cardinal picture is my favorite. Your feeders look great and I'm glad your birds didn't hold any grudges and are coming back already.

Balisha said...

Loved the way you blended your beautiful pictures with the lyrics.

Unknown said...

That's an awesome collection of birds in one post. Each one better than the other. WOW

Donna said...

Love the Grown-up Christmas List, how beautiful, and love your photos too!

Kerri Farley said...

Wow Mary....such a beautiful post!

Carla Gade said...

This post is so lovely! I have this on an Amy Grant Christmas CD also.