My Children Save My Life Every Day - A Song Review

 

My Children Save My Life — Every Single Day

All my life, I've said this sentence without thinking twice: my children save my life every day. It was never a slogan or something I tried to turn into meaning. It was simply the truth as it lived in me — steady, quiet, and constant. I realize that's a lot of pressure to put on our kids, but nevertheless, it's an honest feeling.

When I wrote the song My Children Save My Life, I realized I wasn't just writing about my children. I was writing to them. I was also finally giving words to something I later discovered so many parents, especially mothers, feel but rarely articulate. 

Over time, I've seen versions of this same sentiment shared again and again on social media: my kids saved me, my children gave my life purpose, I wouldn't be here without them. Different words, same heartbeat. 

That's when I knew this feeling deserved its own song.

As you read this article, you'll find some of the lyrics I wrote for this song filtered throughout.

Wanting to Hand Them an Easy World - Yah, I Know, It's Not Easy!

I want my children to have an easy life. Not a perfect one. Just an easier one. 

When they were little, and even now, I want to hand them all the answers. I want to give them the map, the shortcuts, and the warnings written clearly so they can bypass that broken ground altogether.

I want to keep them close. I want to block the shadows. I want to win every battle for them so they can stay peaceful. 

I know, logically, that children are supposed to struggle sometimes, that challenges shape them, that lessons learned firsthand matter more than anything I could explain. 

But emotionally? Like many parents, I don't want my children to suffer. When they struggle, I don't watch from a distance (but sometimes I'm forced to), I dig deep alongside them.

Is that selfish? Maybe a little. 

If their life is easy, mine feels easier too. But mostly it comes from love. From instinct. From that deep, almost unbearable desire to protect their spirit. 

That's where the song begins — with that wanting. That hope that if I could just give them the book of life, filled with every secret to an easier road, they'd never have to stumble.

The truth is, that wouldn't work, because nine times out of ten, the likelihood they'd listen is slim to nil. But that's ok too, because it's evidence that, in the end, it's up to them.

Life, of course, doesn't follow the maps I draw.

Watching Them Become Who They Are

One of the hardest truths of parenting is realizing that no matter how much wisdom you carry, life still belongs to your children. They have to live it themselves. I've watched them stumble. I've watched them rise again. I've watched them make choices that require courage, quiet courage, the kind that doesn't announce itself.

There's a line in the song that holds a complicated truth for me: I'm grateful for their strength, yet at the very same time, I hope they never really need it. 

That's the paradox of being a parent. You want your children to be capable and resilient, but you don't want life to demand too much of them.

What humbles me most is realizing they don't need my book of life after all. They don't need every secret written down. They find paths I don't see. They bypassed broken ground, which I thought was unavoidable. And in doing so, they teach me something I'm still learning.

Choosing Faith Over Fear

Parenting is a constant balancing act between faith and fear. Fear wants control. Faith asks for trust. Trust is not passive — it's an active choice, one I have to make again and again. Letting go doesn't mean loving less. It means loving differently.

I'm still practicing. I'll never be a pro at letting them go. But even in silence, I feel their hearts. I send them peace. I remind myself that I'm not their answer — I'm the road that helps them through. I'm the doorway into living, not the path they have to choose.

My children don't just shape my life.
They save my life.
Every single day.

And that truth deserved its own song. It was my Valentine's Day gift to them this year. 

*************

I Write Lyrics About Life:

Facebook: Lyrics About Life on Facebook

YouTube:  Follow Me on YouTube - @dragedapoemslyrics

Spotify:    Stream Drageda Lyrics on Spotify

Amazon: Drageda Lyrics on Amazon Music

iTunes:   Drageda Lyrics on iTunes

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Remembering The Unscarred Me - A Song Review

Sometimes, I think about that little girl I used to be—the one who played with dolls and held imaginary tea parties, who believed the world was full of endless possibilities. 

There was a gentle magic in those early years, a quiet wonder that filled my room and the pages of bedtime stories. I remember being unscarred.

A Walking Doll Gift From Dad When I Was Seven

When I was seven, my father had been away for a while, and when he returned, he brought me a gift I still vividly remember: a giant doll, almost half my height, with a name—Shirley. 

I was completely taken aback by this amazing toy. Shirley wasn't just a doll; she was a walking doll. You could hold her hand or arm, and as you walked, her legs would move forward as if she were walking alongside you. 

I remember the awe of watching her move, the sense that she was alive in a way no toy had ever been. That feeling—the magic, the companionship, the sheer possibility—stayed with me for years, and it's exactly what inspired the term "walking doll" when I wrote this song.

As life went on, Shirley stopped walking. I grew taller, my imagination quieted, and somewhere along the way, I stopped letting her talk. Pretend tea parties became memories. She became a decoration, a silent reminder of a part of me I had tucked away.

I Grew Bigger And Stopped Her From Talking

In my twenties, thirties, and forties, I thought I had to leave that little girl behind. I told myself I was practical, independent, and strong.

Dolls were for children, not for grown-ups. But life has a way of nudging you back to what you need most. Every heartbreak, every challenge, every moment that shook me whispered: remember the unscarred me. Remember the one who imagined freely, who believed in possibility, who saw the world as full of magic.

Now, at this stage of my life, I realize I don't have to hide her anymore. I've stopped worrying about what others might think when they see me tap into my creativity, my imagination, my artsy, playful side. What matters is being true to myself. Being free again, as I was when I was little, is my gift to myself.

This Song is About Acknowledging Our Young Imagination

This song, The Living Story (I Remember Being Unscarred), is my ode to that girl in the light pink dress. 

I chose the color pink in these lyrics and in the lyric video for two reasons: one, because when I was a little girl, pink was one of my three favorite colors; and two, most importantly, because my granddaughter's favorite color is pink. 

In the lyric video, I dressed both the grown woman and the young girl in pink to reflect that connection. She's still there on the shelf, waiting patiently for me to remember her, for me to reach for her when the world feels heavy, when life leaves its marks. And now, I do. I drink pretend tea again. I let myself imagine. I let myself create. That girl, that spark, is alive in me, and she always will be.

At 65 Years Old, I'm Acknowledging The Unscarred Me Once Again, as Talked About in the Lyrics I Wrote in this Song

Those who know me know I've been writing for a long time. I started writing poems and song lyrics in 1968, when I was eight years old, and I've written on and off ever since. In 2019, I published a book on Amazon featuring fifty years of my writings. Life often pulled me away from writing. 

Now, at 65, I've made a personal decision: I will honor my spirit and write as much as I can for as long as I live. This is my choice—not to be special, but to be true to who I am, what my soul calls me to do. For me, it's writing. For others, it may be art, music, or building something meaningful. 

The truth is, knowing ourselves is the hardest thing we do. I've come back to my true self, and I plan to live out the last third of my life fully aligned with who I am at heart.

Whether anyone reads or listens to my writings is secondary; it's ok if people don't. It's just something I have to do; I have to get it out. I hope you can release the true you, or maybe you already have!

******

Follow Me on YouTube 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Gut-Wrenching Lyrics About Love and Loss - The Story Behind These Words

The lyrics I wrote for this song are rather gut-wrenching and extremely personal, but I'm sure many who have gone through loss can unfortunately relate.

On February 6th, 2026, I put these words together for Echoes of a Quiet Room. I felt compelled to sit down and finally share the story of the day the world stopped for me. It happened twice—first in 2013 with my dad, and then in 2021 with my mom. 

These words express some of the feelings I had in those moments, especially when my mother passed.

The Front Porch Never Felt So Empty

The lyrics to this song talk about our front porch never feeling so empty, the kitchen feeling empty, and my mom and dad's chairs being empty. 

But the truth is, these feelings didn't just occur the moment they passed. While it was much more powerful when Mom died—mostly because Dad was already gone—these feelings actually hit me hardest while Mom was in nursing care.

I would drive the car up our long driveway and look at those empty front steps, remembering all the life that had once been there. I'd pull into the garage and walk up into the house all by myself, without my mother, my father, or my brothers. I was walking into that house alone. 

There wasn't anything domestic being done anymore; the kitchen was just still. I would go into the family room and sit in her chair or Dad's chair, absolutely devastated by the realization that I was at a stage of life where they were no longer a part of the home, although they always will be in spirit, of course.

The hardest part when I think back was my parents not being there when I arrived. That was just one hundred percent brutal, and a bit weird all at the same time.

On the actual day my mom passed, I was with my brothers, so I wasn't alone. But the lyrics speak to those times she was in care, and I was at the house by myself, just existing in that space without them.

How We Get Through This Part of Life I'll Never Fully Understand, It's Brutal - That's The Only Way To Describe It

I've had a lot of trouble expressing the sheer loneliness I felt while Mom was in the hospital. Looking back, I feel a little bit proud of myself for managing such an intensely grief-stricken part of life.

I wonder how I even got through it. But the universal truth is that we don't know how strong we are until we have to be.

So many people out there are going through these exact same feelings, and that's why I wanted to write this song. 

For anyone who has suffered this kind of loss, know you aren't alone. Having lived this myself, I wouldn't wish this pain on anyone, but I unfortunately share it with you. I guess that's just part of life.

Grief really does just sneak up on us sometimes.

*************

For More Original Song Lyrics About Life:

Follow me on YouTube 

Drageda Lyrics on Spotify

Drageda Lyrics on iTunes

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

All in One Course, for Piano, Review

Decades ago, when I first took piano lessons, I was instructed to purchase individual books on theory, and some other books as well. There were three or four books that I had purchased. It is what was available at the time, and I got the books my teacher recommended.

When I had gone for quite awhile without playing, sans piano, I decided to get some books to help me relearn piano.

What I found was a book that has Lesson, Theory, and Solo, all in one book. I already worked through Book 1, and have recently started with Book 2.

I like this approach much butter, you learn a bit of theory along with explanations, and practice songs to reinforce the theory and technique, all in one book.

It's so much nicer having the various steps of learning, all in one place, in an easy understandable order, without having to go to one book from another; it's all sequential. It's much easier for one to follow and know what to do next, especially if they don't have a piano teacher.

When I started working in Book 2 of the All in One Course, Lesson, Theory, Solo, I was able to jump in and play the presented song from beginning to end, (They are short."), without much hesitation. I am pleasantly making progress. I know it helps that I had piano lessons many years ago, but overall, I think this method is much more enjoyable than the earlier method was, and easier too.

It is so nice having the lessons flow from one aspect to the next, in a sequential order, all in one book. If you are interested in checking out this book on Amazon, you can check it out here: All in One Course. There are other books in this series for different levels.

Cheryl Paton

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

That Point Where You Say, “I Can’t Do This the Same Way Anymore”

I wrote The Tango of My Life around 2009. I wasn’t personally walking away from my life at the time, but I know I must have been stressed. You know those moments — when life feels loud and heavy, when everything piles up at once, and you suddenly think, I just want my life back. That’s where these lyrics came from.

When Life Gets Too Loud

This song is an empowerment song, but not in a dramatic or rebellious way. It’s for women who feel overwhelmed. Not women who are necessarily trying to walk out on their lives, but women who reach that quiet breaking point where they say, Damn… that’s it. I need to find me again.

That’s where the lyric Destination Me comes from. It came from that internal moment when you stop trying to hold everything together for everyone else and realize you need to turn back toward yourself. Destination Me isn’t about leaving your life — it’s about returning to yourself within it. It’s the decision to choose yourself without knowing exactly what the next step looks like.

This song isn’t about running away. It’s about claiming yourself again.

Writing Was Always My Exit - Sometimes Saving Me From Heading to the Front Door!

For me, the exit was never leaving — it was writing. Some people journal. I write lyrics. I’ve been doing that since 1968 (yah, I was 8 years old). When life gets tangled, when emotions don’t come in neat sentences, I put them into a song or a poem.

The Tango of My Life came from that place. It came from needing to breathe. From needing to hear my own voice again. From realizing that sometimes the only way through overwhelming life circumstances is to stop and put the truth somewhere safe.

This song isn’t about quitting on people, and it isn’t about abandoning your life. I’m not saying that some people don’t need to leave certain situations — sometimes they do — but this song holds more than one truth. It can be a momentary feeling of get me out of here, or a long-standing knowing that something has to change. It holds both.

The Middle Still Belongs to You

The song talks about how someone else may have gotten the beginning of your story, but you still get to decide the middle — and ultimately, the ending. That part belongs to you. Always.

This is a song for people reclaiming their lives. It’s also for someone who’s just having a bad day and thinking, I’ve had enough. I need to pause. I need to do this for me.

If that’s you — even just for today — this song is for you.

********

Follow me on YouTube

---

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Chasing Butterflies - My Story Behind the Lyrics From Childhood to Being a Grandparent

I wrote the lyrics to Chasing Butterflies on January 16th, 2026.

I didn’t sit down planning to write lyrics that day. Lately, my thoughts have been drifting back to my childhood. I turned ten in 1970, and those years keep returning to me in small flashes. 

One of my favorite things in the world back then was riding my 10-speed around town with my friend. We’d be gone most of the day, riding from one end of town to the other — from my house to hers, and back again, over to our school, and anywhere else our bikes took us.

There was no plan. We just rode, talked, laughed, and filled the day. If we ended up at her house and her mom was making dinner, I’d call home to let my mom know I was eating there. If she were at my place, she’d do the same. And when the streetlights came on, that was our signal to head home. It was just life, a fun life.

Some Things You Only Understand Later

Thinking about those years always brings me back to my parents. I miss them. That never really goes away. Back then, I had no idea how much they were shaping me, or how much strength they were quietly giving me just by being there. I only understand that now, looking back. That part of my life, having them in it, became a foundation for everything that came after.

Somewhere in all of that remembering, the idea of butterflies came to me.

When you’re a child, you chase butterflies without thinking. You don’t question it. You imagine, pretend, make up stories, and let your imagination lead the way. You play with dolls and trucks, create worlds, and believe in them completely. When you’re that young, imagination isn’t something you try to access — it’s just there, guiding you.

We Don’t Know Who We’re Becoming

Life changes us. It has to. A caterpillar doesn’t know it will one day become a butterfly, and we don’t know who we’re becoming either. When I picture myself at ten years old, riding my bike and chasing butterflies, I had no idea who I would be later in life. Writing this now at 65, I can see how much life transformed me — through love, loss, time, and all the things that shape us along the way.

Life also teaches you about moments. About how important it is to really be present with the people in front of you. About letting everything else fall away without trying, simply because the moment matters more than anything else.

That’s where this song brought me in the end — back to where I am now, as a grandmother.

When I’m with my grandchildren, playing with them, laughing, sharing small moments, it feels like a gift. An honor. In those moments, nothing else exists. I’m not thinking about the past or the future. I’m just there. Fully present. And without even realizing it at first, I’m chasing butterflies again.

*******************

50 Years of My Poems and Lyrics are on Amazon, Where Available.

SUBSCRIBE to DragedaPoemsLyrics on YouTube

************************

🎵 ©DragedaPoemsLyrics (B.T.C) - Original Lyrics. | Licensed Digital Composition (Commercial Rights Held) for Music and Vocals

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

The Story Behind the Lyrics to The Garden Lesson

 

When Life Was Bananas!

I'm pretty sure it was around 2005 when I wrote The Garden Lesson. I can't pin down the exact year, but I know what my life looked like then, and it was "omg, holy bananas." <---I feel another song lyric coming on! 

I was deep in the thick of it. 

I have four kids; my youngest was about five at that time, arriving as "God's gift," we call him, when I was in my 40th year. 

My life wasn't just full, it was loud, fast, and relentless. 

Every day felt like a sprint from morning until I collapsed into bed at night, already thinking about everything waiting for me the next day.

That season of life was stressful. There's no softer word for it. 

I was juggling a big family, constant responsibilities, and the quiet pressure of finances that never quite stretched far enough. That's when I decided to include the common phrase "more month than money" in this piece. It wasn't poetic; it was literal. Very real.

I felt like I was always calculating, always trying to make things work, always telling myself to stay upbeat for my kids, even when my own nerves were frayed. I wanted to be steady. I tried to master my disposition, even when inside I felt pulled in a hundred directions.

The line "there are children to nurture, family to call, with my disposition mastered and sunny" is so real! 

I remember feeling I had to put on a "good face" so my parents, my in-laws, and my friends wouldn't worry about me. So when I read that line today, I'm like, "yeah, that was so true back then." My parents worried anyway, but I just didn't want to add to it.

Carrying the World in My Heart, It's Just Who I Am

I've always been someone who carries the bigger picture in my heart, sometimes to my own emotional detriment. I still struggle with this. I've written some poignant pieces about suffering children and have yet to put them to music, because they're that real and bordering on blunt.

Children, especially, undo me. Children everywhere. Children who fall asleep without comfort, without security, without enough food or love. Even now, as I type this, I want to cry. I just can't with suffering children, I just can't! I want to hold all of them and tell them it will be ok, I've got you. I wish I could, I truly wish I could hold them all.

But here's a belief that gives me some emotional peace through all the suffering: those who suffer the most teach us the most. They are the teachers.

Back then, I had to regularly talk myself down from it, because the weight of knowing how much suffering exists can flatten you if you let it. And yet, it never left my mind, even when my own life felt like it was barely holding together.

That's where the song became more than a list of chores or responsibilities. It turned into a to-do list of the soul. 

Yes, I was managing laundry, meals, schedules, and small moments of creativity squeezed in where I could, but I was also carrying worry, empathy, and a constant sense of wishing I could do more.

Humanity can be exhausting; however, I do believe most people are good. I even have lyrics for that sentiment, written long ago.

Since the 1980s, helping children has been my way of answering that ache without letting it consume me. 

I'm learning, even at this age, that it's never about fixing everything; it's about doing what we can—one small act at a time. 

Sometimes that's all we can do, and sometimes it's enough to survive our own helplessness. My choice to help has continued to be Canadian Feed The Children, now known as Kinvia.ca.

The Garden Is Our Teacher - It Was The Ultimate Metaphor as Well For These Lyrics

What The Garden Lesson really reflects is that tension. The struggle of wanting to help the world while also needing to keep your own household afloat. 

The challenge of caring deeply while still paying bills, raising children, and trying not to lose yourself in the process. I worried about everyone and everything, including my own family's future, and I carried it all as if it were my responsibility to fix, or at least acknowledge. 

I know better today. At 65 years old, when I'm typing this, I understand to my core that we can't fix people, and we certainly can't "fix" everything. We can make a difference by being a good example - that's what I believe.

In the end, the song gently reminds me to settle down. To breathe. To remember that I am not my to-do list, not the worries I carry, not even the good intentions that sometimes exhaust me. 

What grounds me are the small, real things. A flower growing where you didn't expect it. A smile exchanged without effort. A moment of connection. The quiet love we plant every day without realizing it. That, more than anything I ever checked off a list, is what defines who we are.

I hope you can feel the intended emotions in these lyrics. <3

I even made a little product for part of these lyrics, many, many years ago - the picture is our front yard.

The Garden Lesson Mouse Pad

*******************

50 Years of My Poems and Lyrics are on Amazon, Where Available.

SUBSCRIBE to DragedaPoemsLyrics on YouTube

************************

🎵 ©DragedaPoemsLyrics (B.T.C) - Original Lyrics. | Licensed Digital Composition (Commercial Rights Held) for Music and Vocals

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Piano Learning and Tips for Setup

I am actually relearning piano, and I'll share with you some background and tips for piano choice and setup.

Many years ago, I considered myself a beginner to beginner intermediate piano player. However, my piano became damaged, and there went my piano playing days.

Over 15 years later, I decided I wanted to play again and told my husband what I wanted for Christmas. I wanted an electric keyboard by Yamaha.

My very first piano was an upright piano that I saw at a garage sale. It was just up the street from me, and it was only $100. I hired some of my co-workers to pick it up and bring it to my house. Where they sat it is where it stayed for the length of time that I owned it. It was too heavy for even my husband and I to push together to have it straightened up with the wall. But that really didn't matter. I played it anyway. But the other thing about the upright piano, was that it required regular tuning. It was something that had to be done around quarterly. Perhaps it was its age, and also it was due to temperature changes with the seasons.

The electric piano that I got after that first piano, was a Clavinova by Yamaha. I really liked it. It had weighted keys, and pretty much played like a regular piano, and it didn't require any tuning. I bought this one from a music store, it was pre-internet days. It was built into its own stand and looked like a real piano. I probably had it around ten years or so. However, I had an elderly cat at the time that had peed on it. It affected the inner parts of the piano, and the repairman couldn't make the keys that were affected, make their normal piano sound again. I went piano-less for approximately 15 years.

Based on my previous experience, I knew I wanted an electric piano again. I was also impressed with Yamaha, and did some searches on that to see what was available. We decided on a Yamaha P143. This time, I wanted just the keyboard instead of having it built into the stand. I could have gotten this model with a stand that was specifically made for it. But I had noticed that there were stands that were adjustable and also piano benches that were adjustable too. I went the adjustable route, and am glad that I did.

As my husband and I got it set up, I remembered in my Book One piano book, about the proper way to set at the piano. The person's legs should be at a right angle from the bench, with their feet being flat on the floor. So we made adjustments to the bench first so that I could sit properly. From there, I positioned my arms as if I were playing, to determine the height of where the piano should sit on the adjustable stand. Voila, I had a piano and bench that were both at the right height for me. That is a God-send. My back is a lot more comfortable from what I remember it being from my earlier piano experiences.

Since it had been so long since my previous piano, I had gotten rid of my piano books. I wanted something without a lot of sharps and or flats, and chose a beginner level with Disney songs. I was plugging along, but soon realized that I needed a refresher, especially for the bass clef staff. It's not too late for me to relearn playing piano. : )

The same company that I had a lot of my teaching books from when I first learned piano, was still around. This time, they combined different lesson types into one book. In book one, they include both theory and solo. It has you start off playing using numbers to identify your fingers, and to play strings of notes and short songs using a number method. As you get practice with that, it then moves on to identifying the notes on the scales. I'm over half way through this first book and have ordered the second book. My skills and my confidence are both improving.

If you are thinking about getting a piano, I recommend first deciding on what is important to you, and also the amount of space that you have for a piano. The digital piano, for the most part, takes up less space. You can get keyboards with less keys even, or get a full size keyboard. If you are getting a digital piano, I also recommend getting a stand and a bench that can be adjusted. (Unless the standard height is already a perfect for you.) Digital pianos are also more portable, should you be in a band something, and need to transport it.

Some people still prefer the overall feel and sound of a regular (non-digital) piano. If you are leaning this way, I do recommend that you try out different models, both for the sound, and also for the comfort level. There are probably options out there that I may not be aware of; just check it out and see what works best for you.

The model that I got has ten different sounds that you can choose from, from basic piano, to grand piano, harpsichord, strings, and more. It's kind of nice to pick a different sound to play, especially if you want to practice the same song over repeatedly. : ) It also has a sustain pedal. You can see the Yamaha P143 digital keyboard and check the price on Amazon.

I chose the adjustable piano stand and bench by Liquid Stands, which is also on Amazon: Adjustable stand and bench combo. It took a bit of figuring it out on how to put these items together, but we got it done. Liquid Stands also included a number that one could call should they need help.

The beginner book that I got as a refresher is Alfred's Basic Piano Library, All in One Course. You can check out this beginner level piano book on Amazon. The pictures are for kids, but it still works.

There are also other Yamaha models to choose from on Amazon. All the best to you in finding the type of piano that works best for you and the tunes and lessons too.

Cheryl Paton

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

My Mommy - The Love I Couldn't See - The Story Behind the Lyrics

 

A Quiet Saturday Morning Inspiration

It was a quiet Saturday morning, January 10th, 2026. I was taking time to have coffee, lounging, and reviewing some of the notes I’d collected for lyrics I planned to write someday. I don’t write lyrics unless my heart is fully in the topic, or unless I give myself a specific assignment. My self-discipline alone can get me through a project, but inspiration always needs to be ready.

On this particular morning, I came across a song I’d started months ago. I had left it unfinished because I couldn’t find the right way to express it. The story I wanted to tell — the profound love between an unborn baby and a mother — felt just out of reach. But today, for reasons I still don’t fully understand, the words finally came to me. What I had been struggling to say flowed naturally, and the story revealed itself fully.

A Song From the Unborn Baby’s Perspective

The unique thing about this piece is its perspective. The ultimate point of the lyric is that it’s the baby singing to the mother. But when you first start reading or listening, if you weren’t aware of it, it might feel as if the mother is singing to her unborn child. The words are written carefully to work both ways — they express love, connection, and awe in a way that feels universal.

By the end, it becomes clear that it’s the baby speaking in song. That twist — the revelation of the perspective — is what makes the piece so special to me. It captures that quiet, intimate moment between mother and child, a love that exists before words, before the first cry, before the baby even takes its first breath.

Why I Wrote It

Even though I’m a grandmother now, I’ve watched the love my children feel for their own babies, and it’s the same overwhelming, indescribable feeling my husband and I have talked about for decades. Nothing compares. This song gave me a chance to explore that love in a way I hadn’t before — through the eyes of the baby, imagining what it might feel to be so connected to the mother, even before birth.

A Song That Works Both Ways

What I love most about this song is how it can be interpreted in two ways. You can read it or listen to it and feel the mother’s love, and only realize at the very end that it’s the unborn baby singing. That duality mirrors life itself — the way we love and are loved, sometimes without fully knowing it. It’s a small reflection of that unspoken, extraordinary bond between mother and child.

*******************

50 Years of My Poems and Lyrics are on Amazon, Where Available.

SUBSCRIBE to DragedaPoemsLyrics on YouTube

************************

🎵 ©DragedaPoemsLyrics (B.T.C) - Original Lyrics. | Licensed Digital Composition (Commercial Rights Held) for Music and Vocals

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Slow It Down: The Lyrics That Began with a Simple Question

 

A New Year’s Moment That Sparked a Song

The spark for Slow It Down came at the very first moment of 2026. On New Year’s Eve, just after the midnight bell had rung, I was celebrating with my husband and my youngest adult son. It was one of those quiet, joyful moments — hugs, laughter, and the soft feeling of a new year opening its arms.

In that moment, my son asked me a simple question: “So, what’s your New Year’s resolution?”

I paused. I smiled. And I answered honestly. I told him I didn’t have a resolution in the traditional sense. What I shared instead was what I now call my anti-resolution — my plan to live in every second, every minute, every hour, and every day… and to slow it down.

Saying those words out loud felt different. They landed in a way I didn’t expect.

When Words Turn into a Spark

Almost immediately after I said it, I thought to myself, “Hmm… slow it down. I think I could write lyrics about that.”
The phrase stayed with me. It lingered long after the night ended, quietly echoing in my thoughts.

Sometimes inspiration doesn’t arrive with a loud announcement. Sometimes it just waits patiently for you to notice it.

New Year’s Morning: Where the Lyrics Took Shape

The next morning — January 1st, 2026, the very first day of the year — I found myself curled up in bed, relaxed and unhurried. The world felt still. There was no rush to be anywhere, no pressure to begin immediately. Just space.

That’s when the inspiration fully arrived.

Lying there, I felt deeply compelled to put those words down before they slipped away. I let myself stay in that quiet moment, allowing the thoughts to unfold naturally. Within about an hour and a half, the lyrics to Slow It Down were written — a song born not from urgency, but from presence.

What “Slow It Down” Really Means

This song isn’t about stopping your life, abandoning your goals, or letting your dreams fade. It’s not about doing less — it’s about being more present while you do what matters to you.

Slow It Down is about how we move through our days as we create, build, work, love, and dream. It’s about enjoying the process instead of racing toward the outcome. It’s about noticing the moments that often pass too quickly — the quiet ones, the meaningful ones, the ones that shape us without us even realizing it.

Life is short. And the beauty of it doesn’t live in the finish lines — it lives in the seconds, the pauses, the reflections, and the breaths we take along the way.

An Invitation to Live Differently This Year

Slow It Down is my invitation — not just for a new year, but for any moment when life feels rushed or overwhelming. It’s a reminder that renewal doesn’t always come from doing more. Sometimes it comes from simply being where you are, fully and intentionally.

Wherever you are in your journey — whether you’re creating something new, nurturing relationships, or quietly rebuilding — I hope this song encourages you to savor the moments that make up your days.

Slow it down.
Soak it in.
Let life meet you where you are.

********

50 Years of My Poems and Lyrics are on Amazon, Where Available.

SUBSCRIBE to DragedaPoemsLyrics on YouTube

*********

🎵 ©DragedaPoemsLyrics (B.T.C) - Original Lyrics. | Licensed Digital Composition (Commercial Rights Held) for Music and Vocals

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

The Story Lyrics About Four Generations and Sticker Shock!

I wrote the lyrics to "When Crazy Was King" in the 1990s, when I was challenging myself to write story-driven songs that didn't depend on personal confessions or emotional backstories.

A Song Born from Sticker Shock and Storytelling

Even back then, in the 1990s, the cost of living felt steep, and prices were beginning to climb in ways that made everyone shake their head. That sense of disbelief across generations became the spark for the song—but my goal wasn't to write a memoir; it was to write a narrative propelled by voices, memory, and perspective.

Of course, even when we try not to write about ourselves, parts of who we are find their way in. Inflation and how each generation reacts to it became the backdrop. It's something we all feel—whether we're buying our first home, filling our gas tank, or scratching our head at the price of shoes. 

The frustration is universal and sometimes humorous, and I wanted to capture it through the voices of four generations in my own family line.

So "When Crazy Was King" began as a project—but became a reflection. A wink to the past, a raised eyebrow to the present, and a nod to how little truly changes in how we feel about money and the world around us.

Four Generations, Four Perspectives, One Constant: "It Never Used to Be Like This"

Even though the song isn't about my life in a literal way, the voices I used are unmistakably familiar. 

My grandfather, my mother, I, and one of my sons form the arc of the story—not to describe our lives in detail, but to highlight how each era has viewed money and progress with a mix of "wtf", disbelief, and resignation.

My grandfather's voice represents that earlier generation who really watched prices shift in a way that felt explosive. His version of shock is rooted in memory—what things cost when he was young, how far a dollar stretched, how much effort it took to "get ahead."

My mother's perspective picks up the same refrain—life could feel expensive even then, long before today's costs crept in and swallowed whole paychecks. She didn't hesitate to warn me that the world was "half gone crazy," passing along equal parts caution, encouragement, and expectation.

And then there's me, passing along that same guidance to my own son. Except by the time he enters the picture, even my jaw drops—and he's there to remind me that the world has moved again, that what seems shocking to me is merely standard to him.

Smiles, Sighs, and What We Pass Along

In the end, When Crazy Was King isn't just a song about prices or inflation—it's a story about perspective, memory, and the way each generation measures the world. 

It's a reminder that what feels overwhelming or absurd today has echoes in the past, and that the voices guiding us—whether from grandparents, parents, or children—carry wisdom, humor, and a touch of disbelief. 

Writing it reminded me that even as the world keeps changing, some truths remain the same: we navigate life as best we can, we pass along what we've learned, and we can still look back with both a smile and a sigh at the days when "crazy" ruled.

*********

50 Years of My Poems and Lyrics are on Amazon, Where Available.

SUBSCRIBE to DragedaPoemsLyrics on YouTube

******************

🎵 ©DragedaPoemsLyrics (B.T.C) - Original Lyrics. | Licensed Digital Composition (Commercial Rights Held) for Music and Vocals

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Review of The Story Behind The Lyrics "Elvis Saved My Life"

 

A Lifetime of Writing Lyrics & Poems

I've been writing lyrics since 1968 — yes, since I was eight years old — and poetry has also always been a part of my life. Over the years, most of my writing has been inspired by real life: events in the world, moments with my family, feelings, hope, humor, and inspiration. 

I love capturing what's happening around me, exploring emotions, and sharing perspectives that feel universal.

But every so often, I like to challenge myself. That's how Elvis Saved My Life came to be — an entirely fictional story told through lyrics.

"Elvis Saved My Life" Was My Creative Challenge

Written in the late 1990s or early 2000s (I forget the exact date), this song started as my own personal challenge: Could I tell a complete narrative using three iconic Elvis Presley songs as milestones in a couple's life?

The songs I chose — Jailhouse Rock, Love Me Tender, and In the Ghetto — weren't just randomly picked. Each one marks a pivotal moment in the couple's journey, capturing emotions, growth, and perspective in a lyrical timeline. 

The idea was to let these songs narrate life's key moments and, metaphorically, show how Elvis "saved" their lives.

The Journey Through Song

Each song in the story plays a unique role:

• Jailhouse Rock: Represents youthful innocence and the playful, awkward beginnings of love. It's a moment of humor and formative experience — that first awakening to relationships and desire.

• Love Me Tender: Captures the deepening of love and commitment. It marks a turning point where affection grows into something lasting, tender, and life-changing.

• In the Ghetto: Reflects perspective, gratitude, and understanding of life's bigger picture. It's a moment of recognition—seeing life's joys and trials and feeling thankful for what's been built.

Together, these songs become markers along a timeline, telling a story of love, growth, and the simple beauty of shared experiences.

Why This Song Matters to Me

Usually, my lyrics come from personal experience or observation, but this project was different. It pushed me to imagine a life, create characters, and weave together a story purely through words and lyrics. 

It was a mental and emotional exercise—translating life into moments marked by song and finding meaning in the narrative of a couple's journey.

It reminded me that lyrics can be more than just words. They can be memory, reflection, and even a kind of salvation. That's the essence of this story: how life, love, and carefully chosen words can intersect to create something unforgettable.

A Personal Reflection

Looking back, Elvis Saved My Life isn't just a creative experiment — it's a celebration of storytelling through lyrics. It's about the moments that shape us, the songs that become the soundtrack of our lives, and the unexpected ways life nudges us toward growth, connection, and joy.

It's fun, it's heartfelt, and for me, it's a reminder that sometimes, fiction can tell truths as powerfully as reality ever could.

**************

50 Years of My Poems and Lyrics are on Amazon, Where Available.

SUBSCRIBE to DragedaPoemsLyrics on YouTube

********************

🎵 ©DragedaPoemsLyrics (B.T.C) - Original Lyrics. | Licensed Digital Composition (Commercial Rights Held) for Music and Vocals

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Ghost in the Passenger Seat – Story Behind the Lyrics Review

A few weeks back, I wrote an emotional article about something I didn't expect to stumble into at all—Carl Jung. More specifically, his concept of individuation. 

What began as casual curiosity turned into a surprising journey of anger, tears, and reflection. That article, written on December 7th, explored how accidentally "tripping into" Jung's work cracked open feelings I didn't know were still waiting to be acknowledged.

Since writing that article, something shifted. 

The intensity of those emotions softened—not because they disappeared, but because I moved forward with them rather than resisting them. 

That forward movement led me to write several lyric videos, each touching on personal growth and inner awareness. The one I'm sharing today, Ghost in the Passenger Seat, comes from that next step forward.

---

Behind My Lyrics  To "Ghost In The Passenger Seat"

I wrote these lyrics on December 19th, 2025, and I wasn't planning on writing them at all. 

I've been writing since 8 years old (1968), and most of the time words just fall into my head, fully formed, and I have to get them out. 

The process takes hours—writing the lyrics, creating the artwork, and putting together the lyric video. Currently, I'm doing it all myself. So it's a huge production for me; however, it's rewarding.

Once I start, I feel a strong need to finish the project entirely, sometimes writing and working for eight to ten hours straight. Thank goodness for my Cubii—my under-desk exercise machine—so I can keep moving while writing. 

Even so, I'm often emotionally spent the next day because projects like this pull a lot out of me. But the fun of creating and the need to deliver the message always overrides the drain.

---

Exploring the Shadow Self

This song explores another well-known Jungian concept: the shadow self. The parts of us shaped by past pain, fear, shame, or survival—the parts we'd rather ignore, bury, or pretend don't exist. 

Jung believed we don't heal by rejecting these parts, but by acknowledging and integrating them. The shadow doesn't go away just because we refuse to look at it. It comes along for the ride whether we like it or not.

In Ghost in the Passenger Seat, the shadow self is personified as a ghost—sometimes called the "ghost self." She sits in the passenger seat of a car, traveling everywhere the woman goes. The car becomes a metaphor for life's journey, and the passenger seat becomes the space where unhealed parts demand attention. 

The lyrics tell the story of realizing that healing doesn't mean banishing the ghost—it means recognizing her, listening, and eventually allowing her to move out of the front seat, to sit quietly in the back, happy that she's been acknowledged.

I intentionally chose light, bouncy music to carry a serious theme. I like contradictions like that. 

When subjects become too heavy, hope can get lost in the weight of the message. 

I feel that by pairing a meaningful topic with an upbeat, almost playful tone, the song becomes more approachable—an invitation rather than a lecture. Healing doesn't always have to sound sad to be real.

---

Final Thoughts: Healing, Creativity, and the Journey

The shadow self is a complex and timely subject. Carl Jung's work has found renewed attention as more people search for meaning, healing, and self-understanding beyond surface-level positivity. 

This song is my way of engaging with that conversation—honestly, thoughtfully, but lightly. It's a reminder that even heavy truths can be approached with creativity, metaphors, and hope.

I hope you enjoyed the lyrics—and the lyric video—as much as I enjoyed bringing this story to life.

**************

50 Years of My Poems and Lyrics are on Amazon, Where Available.

***********************

🎵 ©DragedaPoemsLyrics (B.T.C) - Original Lyrics. | Licensed Digital Composition (Commercial Rights Held) for Music and Vocals

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Which Voice Contestants Went on to Real Fame? Check it Out

 

To Date, Here Are 5 of The Biggest Stars to Come Out of The Voice

You know, I've been a fan of The Voice for years—probably over a decade now. And thanks to the magic of TikTok, I've fallen down more than a few rabbit holes watching short clips from The Voice UK, The Voice Kids, and even auditions from countries I didn't expect—like Germany, Indonesia, and South Africa. There's something about those blind auditions and spinning chairs that just pulls me in every time.

After digging into the history of The Voice, I found a few fun factoids I thought you might like, too. The show actually started way back in 2010 in the Netherlands, created by John de Mol (yep, the same guy who helped create Big Brother). 

Since then, it's exploded across the globe with over 60 international versions. You can now catch The Voice in countries like the U.S., Canada, the UK, Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Mexico, South Africa, Italy, Indonesia, the Philippines, Sweden, Argentina, and many more.

Now, while The Voice has given the world thousands of notable singers, not all of them have gone on to become household names. Who are some of the biggest stars to come out of The Voice? Who made a significant impact after the show was over?

"After conducting some research (and encountering a few surprises), I've found the following. By the way, this is my personal research; feel free to dispute any of these, or add people you think belong on this list! Leave your opinion in the comments." 

---

🌟 Top 5 Most Successful Contestants from The Voice – Worldwide

These are the ones who not only wowed us on the show but also went on to sell records, earn awards, and build actual careers. Let's break it down:

---

1. Morgan Wallen

(The Voice USA, Season 6 – 2014, Team Usher initially, then Team Adam)

Okay, so this one shocked even me. Morgan Wallen was actually eliminated early in the playoffs, but he's become the biggest success story ever from The Voice.

Why he's #1:

• 🎧 Record Sales & Streams:

  • Over 35 million equivalent album sales (EAS) globally

  • Dangerous: The Double Album broke all kinds of country music streaming records

  • One Thing at a Time dominated the charts for weeks

• 💵 Estimated Earnings:

  • Net worth estimated between $25–30 million and rising fast

• 🏆 Awards:

  • ACM Album of the Year

  • Billboard Music Awards

  • CMT Music Awards

  • Holds records for most weeks on Billboard Country Charts

Bottom line: He didn't win the show, but he definitely won real-life stardom.

---

2. Melanie Martinez

(The Voice USA, Season 3 – 2012, Top 6 Finalist)

Melanie had a style all her own from the start—quirky, artistic, emotional. And it turns out that unique identity is precisely what carried her beyond the show.

What she's accomplished:

• 🎧 Album Sales & Streams:

  • Cry Baby was certified Double Platinum in the U.S.

  • Albums like K-12 and Portals have cult followings

  • Billions of streams across platforms

• 💵 Estimated Earnings:

  • Net worth somewhere around $10–12 million

• 🏆 Impact:

  • While she's not mainstream radio famous, she's a huge streaming success, especially among younger listeners on TikTok and Spotify.

  • Strong merchandise sales and sold-out tours

Bottom line: She has built a loyal fan base and a full-blown brand on her own terms.

---

3. Jordan Smith

(The Voice USA, Season 9 – 2015, Winner – Team Adam)

Jordan Smith's voice is the kind that makes you stop what you're doing and just listen. He made history with his chart performance during the show and continued to do so afterward.

Highlights:

• 🎧 Sales & Chart Success:

  • Became the highest-selling Voice contestant on iTunes during his season

  • Albums charted on Billboard's Christian and Adult Contemporary charts

• 💵 Estimated Earnings:

  • Estimated net worth around $2–3 million

• 🏆 Awards & Recognition:

  • Wrote "Ashes" for Celine Dion (Deadpool 2 soundtrack)

  • Billboard chart-topper in the Christian music space

Bottom line: Jordan found his lane in Christian and inspirational music, and is thriving.

Here's Jordan Smith's blind audition:

---

4. Cassadee Pope

(The Voice USA, Season 3 – 2012, Winner – Team Blake)

Cassadee brought her pop-punk background from the band Hey Monday into country music, making it work. She was the first female winner of The Voice USA and used the win to launch a solid country career.

Career Snapshot:

• 🎧 Sales:

  • Frame by Frame hit No. 1 on Billboard's Country Albums chart

  • Single "Wasting All These Tears" sold 125,000 copies in its first week

  • Duet "Think of You" with Chris Young went Platinum

• 💵 Estimated Earnings:

  • Estimated around $4–5 million

• 🏆 Awards:

  • Grammy nomination

  • CMT Music Award

  • ACM Award nomination

Bottom line: A fan favorite who turned her win into long-term respect in the country scene.

Cassadee Pope performed this song on The Voice, and ever since, it's held a special place in my heart. When my dad passed, I wept listening to it. Those tears were part of my healing. The original is by Miranda Lambert, and it still brings me back to that time.

---

5. Koryn Hawthorne

(The Voice USA, Season 8 – 2015, 4th Place – Team Pharrell)

She didn't win the show, but she's dominating the gospel and Christian charts today.

Why she made the list:

• 🎧 Chart Success:

  • Unstoppable topped Billboard's Top Gospel Albums

  • Single "Won't He Do It" stayed at No. 1 for 41 weeks (that's almost a whole year!)

• 💵 Estimated Earnings:

  • Net worth estimated at around $1–2 million

• 🏆 Awards & Nominations:

  • 2 Grammy nominations

  • Billboard and Stellar Gospel Awards

Bottom line: She's a star in her genre, with one of the most consistent post-show careers.

Here's Koryn's blind audition:

🎬 Final Thoughts

So there you have it! While not every Voice contestant goes on to global superstardom, a few have carved out seriously successful careers. And what's fascinating is that most of them didn't even win, which shows that sometimes, winning the show isn't the only path to success.

Whether it's country chart domination, like Morgan Wallen, quirky theatrical pop, like Melanie Martinez, or inspirational gospel, like Koryn Hawthorne, these artists have found their unique lane.

And if you're like me and still find yourself watching audition clips at 1 AM from The Voice UK or The Voice Kids Philippines, it's kind of nice to know that the show really can change lives—and sometimes, lead to something bigger than anyone expected.

Do you have a personal favorite from The Voice over the years?

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON: