Defenders of Angels

We sing children lullabys to help them sleep
One of my favorites is Brahms Lullaby, but there are many more by Chopin, Schubert,
Ravel, amongst others.
We also listen to Christmas Carols like Silent Night which could easily be a lullaby
Some Lullabys are full of folk lore and superstition
They warn of death, caution against being eaten by wild animals, and protection against evil
Mothers used to fear infant mortality in those days, and sicknesses because of lack of medicines
They also believed in witches and the evil eye so the songs included these beliefs to protect the child.
We can find warnings in such rhymes as Humpty Dumpty, Jack and Jill, Rock a Bye Baby ,and even in the Lords' Prayer

These songs never hurt me as a child.
In fact I think they made kids stronger because
subconsciously they knew to watch out for danger.

Nowadays people want the songs changed believing
doing so will prevent bad things from happening
We even have people who believe their kids should not be corrupted by TV.

Wishful thinking. No matter how well or protected,
you raise your children, once they go to school
you lose them to peer pressure and lobby groups.
Its best to raise them with what they will see in life,
or the reality of life as it pertains to them,
and be there to teach them
so they understand better.

My husband and I self censored ourselves by
saying, if it isn't good for our kids, it's not good for us.
So we stayed away from those places and things.

This was a good way to live because we enjoyed our kids
and did healthy things with our lives.

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I Remember Daddy's Hands by Dolly Parton

I remember Daddy's hands,
folded silently in prayer and reaching out to touch me
when I had a nightmare.
Well, there was quite a story in those calluses and lines,
the years of work and worry had left their mark behind
and I remember Daddy's hands,
how they held my mama tight
and patted my back for something done right.
There are things that I've forgotten that I loved about the men,
but I'll always remember the love in Daddy's hands.
Daddy's hands were soft and kind
when I was cryin',
Daddy's hand were hard as steel when I'd done wrong.
Daddy's hands weren't always gentle, but i've come to understand,
there was always love in Daddy's hands.
And I remember Daddy's hands a workin' till they bled,
sacrificing unselfishly to keep us all fed.
If I could start over and live my life again,
I'd never take for granted
the love in Daddy's hands.
Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin,
Daddy's hands were as hard as steel when I done wrong,
Daddy's hands weren't always gentle,
but I've come to understand
there was always love
in Daddy's hands.

A pastor, known for his lengthy sermons, noticed a man get up and leave during the middle of his message. The man returned just before the conclusion of the service. Afterwards the pastor asked the man where he had gone.

"I went to get a haircut," was the reply.

"But," said the pastor, "why didn't you do that before the service?"

"Because," the gentleman said, "I didn't need one then."

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One beautiful Sunday morning, a priest announced to his congregation: "My good people, I have here in my hands three sermons...a $100 sermon that lasts five minutes, a $50 sermon that lasts fifteen minutes, and a $10 sermon that lasts a full hour.

"Now, we'll take the collection and see which one I'll deliver.