Connected

My mother is dying of cancer. Last week she took a sudden turn for the worse, and the hospice nurse told me she thinks Mom has only a few days left.

When she was still lucid and aware of her surroundings, my mom loved to hear my niece Regan sing a song called "Connected" to her. Four-year-old Regan makes the song her own, with lots of "oh, yeahs" and a special dance to go along with it. And now, even when Mom seems so very far away, just humming that tune can bring a smile to her face.

I decided to look up the lyrics to this song, which is actually from some Barbie DVD. But I got a chill reading the lyrics, because they're exactly how I feel about my mom now, and how I'll feel about her always.

CONNECTED

I’m blind-folded on this roller coaster they call life.

Keep trying to make it through the next turn, knuckles white and holdin’ tight.

So here I go, takin’ a curve,

But I know that I’m never alone.

I think of you, I know you’d never let me go.

I feel connected, protected, it’s like you’re sitting right with me all the time.

You hear me, you’re near me,And everything else’s gonna be alright.

‘Cause nothin’ can break this, nothin’ can break this, nothin’ can break this time.

Connected…connected inside.

It’s not an accident, the time we spent apart.

But now we’re so close, I can always find you right here in my heart.

You’ve given me somethin’ I need, and I don’t ever want it to end.

Because of you, I know I’ve found my strength again.

I feel connected, protected, it’s like you’re sitting right with me all the time.

You hear me, you’re near me,

And everything else’s gonna be alright.

‘Cause nothin’ can break this, nothin’ can break this, nothin’ can break this time.

Connected…connected inside.

Everytime that I breathe, I can feel the energy.

Preachin’ out, flowin’ through, you to me and me to you. Find your dream,

Walk or stand, you are everywhere I am.

Separate souls, you to find, touching at the speed of light.

I feel connected, protected, it’s like you’re sitting right with me all the time.

You hear me, you’re near me,

And everything else’s gonna be alright.

Connected, protected, now you’re in my mind, now I’m doin’ fine.

You hear me, you’re near me, and everything else’s gonna be alright.

‘Cause nothin’ can break this, nothin’ can break this, nothin’ can break this time.

Connected…connected inside.