Stories from the Stringam Family Ranches of Southern Alberta

From the 50s and 60s to today . . .



Monday, January 30, 2017

Arrived

Then . . .
Now . . .











Ringing a little bell here . . .
I liked to read with my children.
But more than that, I liked to sing to them.
Little songs that told a story.
I did it a lot.
One, The Biplane, was a particular favourite.
And therein hangs a tale.
So to speak . . .
When our eldest son was three, our family attended a family reunion.
People were getting re-acquainted—talk and laughter filled the wooded area where we had gathered.
Food was set out. A vast array. And talking lessened as gullets were filled.
An impromptu program began.
Someone recited and a couple sang.
My little three-year old stood up in front of that group.
And sang.
The Biplane.
All five verses.
With choruses.
People clapped and cheered.
And enthused.
I hadn’t realized he knew the entire thing. It was a proud moment for his dad and I.
Yesterday, I sat with his father in a crowd and watched that same son, now a man holding numerous degrees in music and education, working with a choir.
His knowledge, talent and skill were obvious. The choir responded and the music was amazing.
It was another proud moment.
He sang one difficult passage for the group, helping to clarify and, in that moment, I suddenly remembered the small boy who had stood in front of the large crowd—all alone—and sang.
All five verses of The Biplane.
Maybe it had something to do with our singing together when he was little.
And maybe he just got there on his own.
Do we ever really know what path we’re steering our children along?
Until they get there?

The Biplane

Way out in London airport in hangar number four
A lonely little biplane lived whose name was EvermoreHis working days were over no more would he sailUpon his wings above the clouds flying the royal mail

ChorusBye bye biplane once upon a sky planeBye bye hushabye lullabye plane

All the mighty jet planes would look down their noseThey'd laugh and say oh I'm so glad that I'm not one of thoseAnd Evermore would shake away the teardrops from his wingsAnd dream of days when he again could do heroic things

Chorus

Then one day the fog and rain had closed the airport downAnd all the mighty jet planes were helpless on the groundWhen a call came to the airport for a mercy flight'Twould be too late, they could not wait, someone must fly tonight

Ah they rolled the little biplane out to runway number fiveAnd though he looked so small and weak he knew he could surviveAnd as he rose into the storm the big jets hung their wingsAnd they hoped someday like Evermore to do heroic things

Chorus

And so my baby bundle I have spun a tale for youYou must learn there's nothing in this world that you can't doDo not be discouraged by circumstance and sizeRemember Evermore and set your sights upon the skies

12 comments:

  1. I think I would have been crying if I were you, thinking about that while watching adult son in his vocation, Diane! (because there are a few tears flowing just reading it) How wonderful - and told so well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Jenny! The tears were pretty close to the surface, I can tell you!

      Delete
  2. What a cute story! It's amazing the little things that stick with our children.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Of course you had an influence! Isn't that always the case when it is something positive? What a terrific story, and a great moment of pride.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was so funny that I looked at that 6'4" man standing there and suddenly remembered that little tyke, standing alone. Singing. Sigh.

      Delete
  4. I read this with tears in my eyes. I knew my son's talent (working with his hands) at an early age. You told this story so beautifully.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Alana! Isn't it wonderful to see them doing the things they were just born to do?!

      Delete
  5. That was a complicated song for a little tad to learn.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting! Drop by again!

Real Estates: All Murders Included in the Price!

Real Estates: All Murders Included in the Price!
My FIRST murder mystery!

Blessed by a Curse

Blessed by a Curse
My very first Medieval Romance!

God's Tree

God's Tree
For the Children

Third in the series

Third in the series
Deborah. Fugitive of Faith

The Long-Awaited Sequel to Daughter of Ishmael

The Long-Awaited Sequel to Daughter of Ishmael
A House Divided is now available at all fine bookstores and on Amazon.com and .ca!

Daughter of Ishmael

Daughter of Ishmael
Now available at Amazon.com and .ca and Chapters.ca and other fine bookstores.

Romance still wins!

Romance still wins!
First romance in a decade!

Hosts: Your Room's Ready

Hosts: Your Room's Ready
A fun romp through the world's most haunted hotel!

Hugs, Delivered.

Compass Book Ratings

Compass Book Ratings

Ghost of the Overlook

Ghost of the Overlook
Need a fright?

My Granddaughter is Carrying on the Legacy!

My Granddaughter is Carrying on the Legacy!
New Tween Novel!

Gnome for Christmas

Gnome for Christmas
The newest in my Christmas Series

SnowMan

SnowMan
A heart warming story of love and sacrifice.

Translate

My novel, Carving Angels

My novel, Carving Angels
Read it! You know you want to!

My Second Novel: Kris Kringle's Magic

My Second Novel: Kris Kringle's Magic
What could be better than a second Christmas story?!

Join me on Maven

Connect with me on Maven

Essence

Essence
A scientist and his son struggle to keep their earth-shattering discovery out of the wrong hands.

Essence: A Second Dose

Essence: A Second Dose
Captured and imprisoned, a scientist and his son use their amazing discovery to foil evil plans.

Looking for a Great Read?

E-Books by Diane Stringam Tolley
Available from Smashwords.com

The Babysitter

The Babysitter
A baby-kidnapping ring has its eye on J'Aime and her tiny niece.

Melissa

Melissa
Haunted by her past, Melissa must carve a future. Without Cain.

Devon

Devon
Following tragedy, Devon retreats to the solitude of the prairie. Until a girl is dropped in his lap.

Pearl, Why You Little...

Pearl, Why You Little...
Everyone should spend a little time with Pearl!

The Marketing Mentress

The Marketing Mentress
Building solid relationships with podcast and LinkedIn marketing

Coffee Row

Coffee Row
My Big Brother's Stories

Better Blogger Network

Semper Fidelis

Semper Fidelis
I've been given an award!!!

The Liebster Award

The Liebster Award
My good friend and Amazing Blogger, Marcia of Menopausal Mother awarded me . . .

Irresistibly Sweet Award

Irresistibly Sweet Award
Delores, my good friend from The Feathered Nest, has nominated me!

Sunshine Award!!!

Sunshine Award!!!
My good friend Red from Oz has nominated me!!!

My very own Humorous Blogger Award From Delores at The Feathered Nest!

Be Courageous!


Grab and Add!

Search This Blog

Ghost of the Overlook

Ghost of the Overlook
Need a fright?