Recently I heard my wee granddaughter singing a lullaby to her doll. It was the same original lullaby I once sang to her mother 30 years ago and then to her. Obviously, I’ve contributed to peace and harmony in the universe.
The cooing, lyrical sounds of a lullaby help sooth a baby so she or he can go to sleep. Mommy’s not really going to buy baby a mocking bird or a diamond ring, but the cadence of the song along with the words “Hush, little baby, don’t you cry” are effective in comforting both mother and baby.
The first written lullaby was chiseled more than 4,000 years ago into a Babylonian tablet. Researchers have determined that it was less than loving because it warned the baby to go to sleep or evil spirits would invade the home. Later lullabies from Africa admonished babies to sleep or their cries would attract hyenas that would carry them away and eat them. The popular “Rock-a-by-Baby” tune tells about the baby in a cradle falling when the bough breaks. Not exactly words of comfort but at least the baby doesn’t understand language. Babies just react to the lyrical sounds.
Because I’m older and have earned crusty curmudgeon status, I can worry about hurried young mothers who don’t have time to rock their babies and sing lullabies. They often feel pressure to use the latest electronic gadgets to simulate lullabies with the false belief that baby prefers high definition over other modern technological devices. That makes me sad.
I’m also concerned when I see news footage of angry people rioting in the streets, their teeth barred, their eyes ablaze with hatred. I suspect they were never rocked as babies. Yes, there are injustices that deserve public action through peaceful demonstrations, but for now, this wise old grandmother decrees that everyone should go find a baby to rock. Hum or sing a song and feel the release as the tiny bundle drifts into slumber. Two people, you and the baby, will feel better about life. And that’s a good start for attaining world peace.
– See more at: http://www.test.elaineambrose.com/blog/midlife-cabernet-sing-lullaby-and-save-world#sthash.oF0zoyBX.dpuf
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