Monday, 10 years have passed since Hannah transformed from baby to hummingbird. Our sweet little girl, who forever made a mark on our lives, brought more grief and more joy than I thought was possible with any one soul.
I wasn’t able to write about this until now…I hadn’t felt the stirring that I usually do when we’re hitting a milestone or anniversary. It wasn’t until I heard Maren Morris interviewed on NPR’s Morning Edition this morning that I knew I was ready to process this enormous moment. As I laid in bed listening to the story, I recognized her dance song “the Middle” – a song we hear all of the time on pop radio. One of the songs that Mimi sings along to at the top of her lungs. But I didn’t know about the artist, and I hadn’t heard her song “Hummingbird”. I couldn’t have written lyrics that speak to why we believe Hannah comes to us as a hummingbird any better than this. Oh, our sweet baby girl.
We’ve had 10 years to process our loss, grow from the experience, and continue to move forward. And yet this child’s mark on our lives hasn’t faded. In the interview, Maren is asked about how she stays humble. She shares “I think it means you’re the closest to your compass that you’ve ever been. It’s not for public consumption of how relatable you are. It’s: How in touch are you with yourself and your loved ones? Like, the people that know you the closest?”
Our life with Hannah is the most humbling experience I could ever imagine.
Sweet Hannah, we love you. We honor you. And like the song says, “hummingbird, hummingbird, now your heart beats in me.” Always.
You’re Mexico in the Winter
You’re Tennessee in the Spring
You come and go like a whisper
Leaving me the most beautiful dream
Hummingbird, hummingbird
You’re the sound of these strings
Hummingbird, hummingbird
On my skin rest your wings
I’ll hold you in my loving arms
But I’ll let you fly free
Hummingbird, hummingbird
Now your heart beats in me
I’ve been waiting all my life for your colors
And I’ve been watering the flowers while you’re gone
I’ve been looking out the window for a glimmer
Not knowing you’ve been with me all along
Hummingbird, hummingbird
You’re the sound of these strings
Hummingbird, hummingbird
On my skin rest your wings
I’ll hold you in my loving arms
But I’ll let you fly free
Hummingbird, hummingbird
Now your heart beats in me
Ooh, I’ll never try to cage you
Ooh, take the sky that God gave you
Hummingbird, hummingbird
You’re the sound of these strings
Hummingbird, hummingbird
On my skin rest your wings
I’ll hold you in my loving arms
But I’ll let you fly free
Hummingbird, hummingbird
Now your heart beats in me
Hummingbird, hummingbird
Now your heart beats in me
| Play “Hummingbird” on Amazon Music Unlimited (ad) |
- *Louie Gong, Nooksack artist. https://eighthgeneration.com/blogs/inspired-natives-project/louie-gong-nooksack