Lullabye

From Aaron:

Every night before I put my sons to bed I try to sing them a song. I am not Pavarotti, but I do well enough for a two year old and a four year old. Throughout the years I have sung them a variety of songs from "Rainbow Connection" to "When the River Meets the Sea". Each song talks about big things in a way that makes them simple for children to understand, and I believe that is what I enjoy about them. This evening was no different, except for the fact that Daddy felt the need to conduct an encore performance. The song was more for my benefit than theirs. It was sung to honor someone who would have loved them as much as she loved their father.


My sons are fortunate to be a part of two very loving families. Great-grandparents, great-aunts and uncles, distant cousins, and a variety of other relatives are a constant part of my boys' lives. As blessed as they are, however, I never got to introduce them to my Aunt Peg. Peggy loved children and children loved Peggy. Little kids instinctively knew that she was the one who would shower them with the most attention and indulge them more than anyone else in the room. When I told her that I was getting married, she told me that she couldn't wait to hold my children and see me be a father.

Peggy was not able to attend my wedding, nor did she ever meet my children. Six years ago today she passed away quietly in her sleep. The official cause of her death was a heart deffect, but it would be an egregious error to think there was anything wrong with her heart. As her godson I can attest that Peggy's capacity for love was limitless. She was the constant cheerleader in your life who felt that every little accomplishment was a reason to celebrate. Peggy could make your worst day your best just by smiing and giving you a hug. Her thoughts were always about those she loved, and her actions reflected that.

After my mother, no woman has had as big of an impact on my life as my Aunt Peg. I miss her every day, but especially this day. Tonight, I sat next to Liam on his bed and held Max in my arms. We had just finished "Tell Me Why" and "When the River Meets the Sea". As we sat in the darkness, I felt the need to sing one of Peggy's favorite songs. She told me that once that "Lullabye (Goodnight My Angel)" by Billy Joel always made her cry, both because of its subject and its simple beauty.

When I had finished singing the song, I looked down to see Liam had fallen asleep. Max tucked his head tightly against my chest and let out a deep sigh that told me that he was finished as well. It is a rare occasion for him to fall asleep anywhere but his bed, and I felt little motivation to put him down. I sat in silence for a long time with my boys, content in that serene moment. It's what my Aunt Peggy would have done, and it was the least I could do to thank her for helping me put my boys to sleep tonight.