Saturday, July 12, 2008

So Are You To Me!

So Are You to Me - Eastmountainsouth


Have you heard this song before???? It's one of my all time favorites, I love Eastmountainsouth and I can't listen to this song without getting teary eyed. It's that beautiful!

I heard them again last night as I lay in bed watching Lucky 7 on Lifetime, another great girl flick that you would enjoy. What can I say, I like romantic mushy movies and this one was right up my alley.

But going back to the song, if you listen to the lyrics it makes you stop and think.

As the music at the banquet
As the wine before the meal
As the firelight in the night
So are you to me

As the ruby in the setting
As the fruit upon the tree
As the wind blows over the plains
So are you to me

As the wind blows over the plains
So are you to me
So are you to me

So I started thinking about my life and who and what represents this song. Apart from my husband and children, it applies to my family, my parents, my siblings and sisters in law and grandparents and my nieces and nephews. They all are the most important things in my life, the reason I keep going, the reason I keep putting one foot in front of the other even through rough times.....and it struck me that we don't really spend much time letting them know.

We all would like to think that we're important to someone out there, that we make their lives a happier place and that without us around the world is darker, bleaker, not as exciting. I have to remind myself that if I want to know that I'm loved, I need to reciprocate.

So that's what I'm doing this morning, I'm letting all the important people in my life know that I love them more than I could ever say and that I couldn't imagine my life without them. You guys make me the woman I am today and I'm blessed to be a part of this family.

Here's where you guys come in, I want you to take this song and listen to it and then let your loved ones know what they mean to you, even just a simple hug or an I love you is enough to brighten someone's day. Go on, do it, you will make them extremely happy and you will feel better about yourself too.


It's one of those days that I'm feeling lazy and even though I know that I'll have to fix meals and watch the children etc. I think I'll let the bigger stuff go and deal with it tomorrow. You know, like the laundry and the sweeping and all that, it's not like it will disappear (as much as I wish it did at times LOL).

I'm feeling a little offish, seems I have a cold looming over me and waiting to attack. The sore throat is here and so is the headache which makes it the perfect time to use that as an excuse to be lazy, right?

I know I keep jumping from subject to subject, I've oftentimes told everyone here that if they're looking for posts that are deep and thought provoking, they're in the wrong place, I can't just talk about one thing, I guess I write like I speak? LOL

That's why I'm jumping to something now that I absolutely positively love.....Old Photographs. When I was back home in South Africa last month, I got to sit on my grandmother's bed one night and we went through tons and tons of old black and white photos, they belonged to my greatgrandmother Ema and now they're just sitting around because no one knows what to do with them. I will gladly take them off their hands, problem is that they're so many and it will make bringing them back to the States, a little hard.

But I did get a few while there and I thought I would share them with you all, I know there have to be more old photograph lovers like me out there.


My wonderful greatgrandma Ema...this woman was a pillar of strength in the family, she was the matriarch, the go to when you had a problem, the one to tell you to your face when you did something wrong. She was loving and funny and an amazing cook...I learnt so much from her and it's been 9 years since she died, but I miss her dearly and there is not a day that goes by when I don't think of her.


My grandma Odete. What can I say that hasn't been said already? Amazing woman that I love to death, she was through me during so many pivotal times in my life, always there to listen, always there to comfort me and push me to be the strong woman that I am today. She means the world to me.


My grandfather Julio. Wow, do I have wonderful memories of him, he was never the strict grandpa with us, he joked, he laughed, he played and was just this bright light in our lives. I remember when he got sick, it was like getting punched in the stomach, this brilliantly funny man was a mere shadow of his former self.

I also vividly remember the day he passed away, because I was there, I watched him die. I sat quietly crying at his side, telling him I loved him and begging him not to leave us...and as I spoke one lonely tear slowly descended from his left eye. He didn't want to leave, he wanted to stay because he loved us just as much as we loved him. I will NEVER forget that day, that image was ingrained in my memory forever.


My wonderful daddy, Dario. Look how young he was in this picture? It's so weird because I look at it and I see my oldest brother Paul, they look SO much alike.


This one I have a hard time with. This is a photo of my dear Uncle Carlos, the one that passed away last year on
my birthday. All you have to do is read that post and this one to know how much I loved him and what he meant to us as a whole family.

But what gets me about this photograph is just how much Nicholas looks like him, from the chubby cheeks to the eyes and the mouth and the nose, just everything, it's uncanny. Nicholas even has his hands, to the point where we were staring at them back in Africa and my grandmother Odete (my uncle's mom) got really emotional.


These photographs show some of the most influential people in my life, the ones that have a special place in my heart, and as the song says "So Are You To Me"....yes, they ARE that important.

14 comments:

Mari said...

I haven't heard that song before - beautiful words. I love old photos too. I have done a heritage book about my ancestors.

Anonymous said...

Hi Sandra, just stopping by for a quick visit. What a beautiful and touching post. Thank you for sharing your wonderful family photos and memories. Hope you are well and your family too.

HUGE Hugs and love

Sarah xx

Anonymous said...

Sandra, I feel the same way about old family photos... a couple of weeks ago we went to CA to celebrate my parents' 40th anniversary and I loved seeing family I hadn't seen in years. Then at my mom's I was looking at my Grandma's albums, and oh, it really made me miss her so much!!

Jen B. said...

I found your blog through the Crockpot Lady.
I enjoyed your tribute to your family. It's something I need to do more often. Hope you don't mind me stopping and taking a look at your blog. It's wonderful
Get better soon

Anonymous said...

great reminder Sandra.

Katy said...

This song is absolutely beautiful! Thank you for sharing this with us!!! :) I love your new blog look too!!! I hope you are having a lovely weekend! xoxo

Barbara said...

I see a lot of your grandma Odette in you. This was a great post, thank you for sharing a bit about your family.

Michelle said...

hi sandra, i loved this post of yours,you have such a lovely way of writing and I agree I see your Grandma Odette in you.Have a lovely weekend..

someone else said...

Absolutely beautiful! All of it.

Andrea@Sgt and Mrs Hub said...

Holy cow, Sandra! You and your grandmother look so similar! She is beautiful! And I agree - Nicholas looks so much like your uncle Carlos. What a great gift for your son.

I adore old photographs also - they tell such stories, don't they?

Beat that cold!! You don't need that right now :)

Hope your weekend is great!

-Andrea

threesidesofcrazy said...

How awesome to have some of the old family photos of some of your favorite people. It must have felt good to write about them and know that these treasures are yours to share.

I'm right there with you on the mushy movies and appreciating your family!

Mozi Esme said...

What a beautiful tribute!

Christina said...

I am going to have to try to catch this movie on Lifetime. I love mushy stuff. Great song. Such a nice way to remind us all of how much our family and friends mean to us.

Great pictures of your family. The resemblance between Nicholas and your uncle is really something.

Enjoy your lazy day. I might have to join you and take it easy myself.

Linda said...

Amazing - I saw the same movie and the words were so beautiful I had to look them up and came upon your site. Bless you and bless your entire family. Thank you for telling your side of a stay at home mom.