Playground in My Mind……And Singing!

My dear sweet friends….I would like to share something that I experienced this past week-end.  As I am sure you have noticed, I have quoted song lyrics from time to time in a few of my posts;  I do love music and I do love singing…I guess I take it literally when the Psalmist said:

“But let all who take refuge in Thee be glad, let them sing for joy; …. “. Psalm 5:11

I sing in my home and in my car…but oddly enough, not in the shower where the acoustics are probably the best.  I am sure our neighbors can hear me singing because on cooler days, I love to open my home to fresh air so the slider doors and windows are open as I do laundry and other chores around the house. They haven’t complained …yet, …though I am sure sometimes they wonder if I am singing or calling for help! 🥰🤗🥴

I didn’t say I sing well… I— just—- sing!

I love singing hymns and I love singing secular songs. I like older songs where the lyrics have a meaning and tell a story.  The following lyrics to the song “Playground in my Mind” do just that.  There is a meaning and I can identify with the words as I watch children at play!  The song is a very old song and was sung by  British born singer/songwriter and Las Vegas entertainer, Clint Holmes. He co-wrote the song and it peaked at #2 on the Billboard Charts and stayed on the charts for 23 weeks.  However, “Playground in my Mind” was his only big hit, but it resonated with me…and apparently a lot of other people and best described as “an escapist theme during a stressful post Viet Nam era”.  It was nostalgic and the little son of the song ‘s producer also sang on the recording, making it more endearing.

Some of the lyrics are below.

“When this old world gets me down… And there’s no love to be found… I close my eyes and soon I find, I’m in a playground in my mind. Where the children laugh and the children play… And we sing a song all day.”

“Oh the wonders that I find, In the playground in my mind, In a world that used to be,  Close your eyes and follow me.  Where the children laugh and the children play, and we sing a song all day”!

I mention this to tell you about an experience I had while out running errands.   I stopped at a fast food place about 3 blocks from our home to grab a SW Wrap and Sweet Iced Tea. I didn’t want to go inside to eat, so I went to the drive-thru and then I decided to take my food to the park which is near by. 

I pulled into a shaded parking spot in front of a playground with all kinds of playground equipment, large trees and flower gardens.  At first glance, there did not appear to be children at the playground, which I thought a bit unusual, since it was Saturday.  The sun was shining and the temperature was about 77 degrees,  so I took my sandwich and drink and walked over to one of the picnic tables.

And then I heard singing….a sweet little melodious sound coming from a stand of trees. I heard singing!I peered toward the cluster of trees …which were about 20 feet from me… and I saw *”her”.  There she was in the tree, partially hidden by the branches and shiny green leaves.  She was standing on a branch which was about 5 foot off the ground… and she was singing her little heart out.  Luckily for her, there were lower branches that she obviously used as “steps” to reach the higher level. 

She looked to be about 7 or 8 years old and though I couldn’t make out her features, I could see a cluster of brunette curls which seem to get entangled among the leaves.  She was in her own little world, oblivious to me or anything around her….and her voice was so sweet and so innocent and so pure.  I couldn’t help but smile, because it took me back to my childhood when I climbed trees on our farm and sang to the birds, chickens or any animal within range.

So you see why I am singing the lyrics from the song “Playground in my Mind” today…

“Oh the wonders that I find, In the playground in my mind, In a world that used to be,  Close your eyes and follow me.  Where the children laugh and the children play, and we sing a song all day”!

Have a great and wonderful day.  May your Blessings be many.  And sing…we are told singing clears worry, sharpens memory, lowers stress, lifts mood, eases loneliness and deepens expression….and it makes me smile!

 

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!
Serve the LORD with gladness!
      Come into his presence with singing!  Psalm 100: 1,2

*Oh, I would be remiss if I didn’t state the obvious question on your mind… but yes…her Mother was there reading a book and looking over at her young daughter from time to time.  I couldn’t see the Mother at first, because of a pillar on the shelter house….but she was there…ever mindful of her young daughter.🤗