I feel included today. It was probably an accident but I’ll take it.
I was indulging my boys in some extra TV time this morning as we just spent eight days without it (camping). As per usual, we were watching Nogging. Along comes a Laurie Berkner song, one I (shockingly) hadn’t heard before. I can’t quote it word for word as it made me cry, immediately, and I lost some of the words through my sniffling. But the song, entitled “My Family,” is my new favorite song.
The gist is this:
If you’re in my heart, you’re in my family.
Apparently it was made especially for Noggin and is not on any CD nor is it available for download on iTunes. It’s not even on Noggin’s site. I get really aggravated when technology fails me. I’d love to have this song in my home as it is what we are all about as an open adoption family.
Society doesn’t want to talk about my family, the unique span of now three households (four if Lincoln would ever step up to the plate). More if you count grandparents but let’s just leave it at three for the time being. We’ve got a birth mother, an adoptive mother, a stepfather (to-be, shortly!), an adoptive father, a bonus dad, (half)-brothers, brothers… I’m kind of lost right now but you get the point. Society wants to place us all in our separate houses in which we live and those individual breakdowns are what family is supposed to be.
But it’s not.
We break down the walls of houses and laugh at distance. We are a family across the miles. We may not talk every single day. (I don’t even talk to my own mother every single day. That might drive me insane as much as I love her.) I don’t turn to D to ask permission for things I do in this household just as she is not expected to do likewise with her household. But we’re connected. We’re family. We’re just the way that we are.
And so, a big, squishy hug to Noggin for making me feel included, even if it was an accident, for the first time in the history of discussions, songs and what not on the topic of family. But, really, someone needs to get a copy of this song to my house. Yesterday.
I was thinking the same thing when I heard that–especially since we just met Jada’s birth grandmother on Sunday. It was really difficult for her. I hope we made her feel welcome and a true part of our family. I’m not sure if we will ever see her again. . . but we certainly feel blessed with the opportunity. She didn’t want any pictures with Jada. In time, we hope that will change. We thought that Jada’s birthmom wanted a closed adoption and we have been blessed with a beautiful open relationship. So, anything is possible! I will let you know if I ever find that song!
[Reply]
I heard that song too- it is very sweet :) We do not watch Noggin usually (ok ever) but for some reason it was on the other day and I heard that song.
[Reply]
Jenna Reply:
July 29th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
We only watch Noggin and PBS (and movies). I don’t allow the boys to watch anything with commercials.
[Reply]
Hey!! I just heard this last night while I was snuggling with the girls and I got chills. If you ever do find a copy, please post where, OK?
[Reply]
It’s my sons new favorite song too. It was on a Laurie Berkner special on Noggin a couple Sundays and I DVR’d it. On the Laurie berkner site (www.twotomatoes.com) everyone is demanding it and apparently it will be out on the new cd or dvd that is coming out soon. You may even try her space on myspace to see if it’s there. I’m taking my 2 oldest to see her in Ithaca, NY in September and I can’t wait.
[Reply]
Wow, I’m glad I wasn’t the only one. Really touched my heart.
[Reply]
I *love* this song. I think the inclusion was on purpse, too. Its on You Tube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvOPsYQESQo
[Reply]
my little girl sings this song all the time! i’ve never even heard it because she hears it at gamma and poppa’s house! i wish i could find it to sing along!
[Reply]
Me too! I was just googling “my family” and found your blog instead of the song on itunes. Our son Griffin turns 1 in October, we are so blessed to be family with our precious child. His adoption was finalized in June, but he has always been (and his birthmother will always be) Family.
Blessings to all.
[Reply]