Back in the day, when I was young and single, I worked for a station that played hip-hop and pop music.
One day, my boss told me about a new song we would be adding to our playlist. "It's a little different than what we normally play," he said. "It's a Christian song that's crossed over into the mainstream, and is creating all kinds of buzz. It's a sensation! This hasn't happened since Place In This World by Michael W. Smith."
Then, he proceeded to play...Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle.
"I don't get it," I said. "THIS is a sensation? It seems kind of cheesy to me. I thought we were adding Puff Daddy."
It went on to become pretty much the biggest hit in the history of the station.
I moved away, got married, switched to Christian radio, and had a baby.
A few days ago, I needed to fold some of Dallas's laundry, so I plopped him down in his crib (the above pic is him showing off his new trick of opening his mouth and smooshing his face against the side of his pack 'n play) and got him all set up with his bunny, blocks, and Squishy Turtle book. I thought some music would be nice, so I fired up the Iphone and got to work putting things away.
And there it was.
"There's two things I know for sure...."
I had not even folded a sock before I was blowing my nose into one of Dallas's baby washcloths.
Dallas is not daddy's little girl, but he was definitely sent to his mommy from Heaven.
"For butterfly kisses, after bedtime prayer..."
It quickly turned into an ugly cry, where your nose swells and everything turns red. I ran to grab Dallas, who was cooing over Squishy Turtle, and hugged him as tight as I could, sobbing into his one little curl, "Butterfly Kisses is the best song ever!!! Please don't grow up and leave Mama!!!"
Were you obsessed with time when your baby was little?
For those first few weeks, all I could think about was speeding time up so I could get some sleep. We were up and down about every 30 minutes, it seemed. No, wait--we actually WERE up and down every 30 minutes. Dallas just seemed so tiny, and so helpless, and he was always crying and seemed like he was in pain. And that wobbly head! I practically had a heart attack every time I had to bathe him, and I still can't bring myself to trim those teeny nails (I make my hubby do that. But he also drinks about a pot less coffee than me every morning, so his hands are less shaky.).
People told me he would grow, and things would change. "No!" I sobbed, convinced that my baby would be the first baby ever that would remain a newborn.
Every parent and grandparent that I saw would say things like, "I would give anything to have my sons that age again for just one day," while gazing longingly at Dallas, who was usually screaming his head off.
And then one day, he slept through the night.
And sat up on his own.
And started eating solids.
And pulled himself to standing.
And outgrew his swing. "It's the end of an era, " my husband proclaimed, as he packed everything up and my lower lip started to tremble.
I'm now obsessed with time in a different way. I want to slow it down, and keep my sweet boy in a place where I can soothe his tears with a bottle, and solve most problems with a kiss and a cuddle. Right now, I can make sure he's not hanging out with friends who are not good for him, and I'm not up late wondering where he is and why he won't answer his cell. He is just learning to crawl, so I don't have to deal with the heartache of him falling in love with a gal who lives in Europe and moving halfway across the world.
But I see all of that on the horizon suddenly.
Bob Carlisle, if somehow you are are reading this, I get it now. Boy, do I get it now. Thank you for this beautiful song that is straight from your heart. And I'm so glad that we added you over Puff Daddy.
Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle
There's two things I know for sure:
She was sent here from heaven and she's
daddy's little girl.
As I drop to my knees by her bed at night
She talks to Jesus and I close my eyes and
I thank god for all the joy in my life
Oh, but most of all
For butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer;
sticking little white flowers all up in her
hair; "Walk beside the pony, Daddy, it's my first ride."
"I know the cake looks funny, Daddy, but I sure tried."
In all that I've done wrong I know I must
have done something right to deserve a hug
every morning and butterfly kisses at night.
Sweet 16 today
She's looking like her mama a little more everyday
One part woman, the other part girl.
To perfume and make-up from ribbons and curls
Trying her wings out in a great big world.
But I remember
Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer; sticking
little white flowers all up in her hair.
"You know how much I love you, Daddy, But if you
don't mind I'm only gonna kiss you on the cheek this time."
With all that I've done wrong I must have done
something right to deserve her love every morning
and butterfly kisses at night.
All the precious time
Like the wind, the years go by.
Precious butterfly.
Spread your wings and fly.
She'll change her name today.
She'll make a promise and I'll give her away.
Standing in the bride-room just staring at her.
She asked me what I'm thinking and I said "I'm not
sure-I just feel like I'm losing my baby girl."
She leaned over...gave me butterfly kisses with her mama there,
Sticking little white flowers all up in her hair
"Walk my down the aisle, Daddy-it's just about time."
"Does my wedding gown look pretty, Daddy? Daddy, don't cry!"
Oh, with all that I've done wrong I must have
done something right.
To deserve your love every morning and butterfly
kisses-I couldn't ask God for more, man this is what love is.
I know I gotta let her go, but I'll always remember
every hug in the morning and butterfly kisses.
