Ella Fitzgerald and a Gershwin Tune

Dear Addie,

Somehow the tune, "Someone to Watch Over Me" came up in my brain.  My first association with this tune is that it reminds me of my grandmother (dad's mom).  There's a baby video of ME out there somewhere that my dad dubbed over with that tune.  In the video my grandma is holding me and smiling and waving, and I'm maybe 2 or 3 in the video.  I seem fairly happy.

So it came up, and it brought back happy memories, so I looked up the lyrics so I could sing along...

But then I was disappointed.  How can a song so beautiful and lovely be about finding a man to "watch over me?"  I can watch over myself, thank you very much!!  OK, OK, so I understand it was the time period in which the song was written.

But even today, some music implies that life revolves around finding "the one."  And while I agree that, should you choose to find "the one," that it IS important, and a warm, fulfilling part of life, finding "the one" isn't a reason in and of itself for existence.  Finding "the one" isn't life's only goal, and nobody should be bound to the idea that if they don't find "the one" that life will not be fulfilling.

Finding "the one" may be something that happens, but it shouldn't define you.  No person should let the pursuit of another in love (or lust) rule their lives, nor should one alter their heartfelt hopes and dreams to "fit" with the person they perceive to be "the one."  The truly right "one" will find a way to make the heartfelt hopes and dreams of the duo come true simultaneously.

So, my sweet Addie, you don't need someone to watch over you.  When the time comes for you to explore the idea of "the one," you need someone who values you, your opinion, and your hopes and dreams.  Let Ella Fitzgerald's wonderfully sung song be a reminder of the past, and not an indication of the future, or something to long for.

Love you!
Mama

PS: You can still listen to the song if you want to.  But if you want a sappy romantic Ella Fitzgerald song, try "Dream a Little Dream" instead.