My son picked up a camera and made an impromptu video, so at least we have a rough recording.

Mom loved it. It made her cry. It made her dance. It made Dorcas and Mike’s dogs join in with whimpers and howls. Good fun.

Our mother was an avid gardener who enjoyed growing ornamental grasses (photo below). That would be why Pam wrote “Grasses bow down their heads to honour the day.” There’s no reason not to change the words to something that suits the person being honoured!

Video

Sheet music

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Pam made this recording privately on a digital recorder, not as a performance but for her own records. – HH

Video

Lyrics

There is a home within my heart
Where all things end
From whence they start
It knows no bounds
Springs forth through song
At times I’m sure the angels sing along

My soul’s a giant in a pea
Singing a song of love to Thee
It shimmers, glistening with the sun
Encircling life
Embracing goodness in everyone.

My life’s a song
A journey being sung
Awakening lovers,
Pilgrims to the One
At rest time, I hold the perfect pause
A drawing gasp of transcending awe

In rays of sunlight my heart takes flight
An owl’s vision in the dark of night
A portion of the perfect heart
A reflection of the gem we are

Each soul’s a jewel in the crown
A precious lamp on the Oneness tree
To hold a seed of hope
In the dark of night
The Christed presence reaches out in me.

Audio

The post There is a Home within my Heart appeared first on Pamela Holm 1960-2019.

Spirit of Life, work your magic in my soul
Bringing your wondrous touch, you ignite
The fire that makes me whole
Spirit of Life reflected in the rising of the Sun
Resurrect your spirit here in the knowing we are all one.

One in the Godhead, one in the heart
One in the peace, that’s where we start
One in the blessing of the sun
One sun that shines on everyone.

Spirit of Life, I feel so full of Grace
Knowing how your radiant form transfigures every face
Spirit of Life reflected in the light of every smile
Opening heart and mind alike to your presence here all the while.

Light of loving, light of truth
Light through the Spirit we’re made new
Light that warms us like the sun
One sun that shines on everyone.

One in the Godhead, one in the heart
One in the peace, that’s where we start
One in the blessing of the sun
One sun that shines on everyone.
One sun that shines on everyone.

The post Spirit of Life (2009) appeared first on Pamela Holm 1960-2019.

She mentored some other younger sisters in her adult life, and must have been acutely aware of their needs to develop their own interests and identities, and to individuate from a self-confident older sibling.

As Pam’s big sister, I knew of this challenge in her life, and our mother understood it very well. I had to learn to give her space to find herself, and be supportive without taking over. When she was dying and I had to take over – in everything from life and death decisions to income taxes – it was especially poignant because of our history as the big and little sister.

Self-actualizing as the little sister was a big life lesson for Pam. And she succeeded, as the song proves. I am very proud of her.

She made a personal recording of this song, which I have illustrated with photos of her growing up and as an adult. – HH

Lyrics: All I Want to Be

When I stand by an ant, I am ten feet tall
When I stand by a tree, then I’m very small
In the eyes of Creation I am wholly free
To be all I want to be.

Being me, being free
Choosing how I want to be
In the eyes of Creation
I am wholly free to be all I want to be.

When I look at my sister who is older than me
Then I sometimes feel so small
I would like to do just as she can do
But I just can’t do it all.
So I take a breath, and I let it go
And I breathe in one more time
And I know inside that I’m four, not five
And as my mommy says, I’ll grow.

When I take some time to be all by myself
When my sister’s not around
Then I find some things that I like to do
That are different from what she’s found
And I take a breath, and I let it go
And I smile here just for me
And I know I have ideas that are mine to grow
And I’m happy and feeling free.

Being me, being free
Choosing how I want to be
In the eyes of Creation
I am wholly free to be all I want to be.

Audio only:

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Photo is of Pam and her nephew (my son) with the Christmas creche we had as children. -HH

The post Jesus Shine Your Light (2009) appeared first on Pamela Holm 1960-2019.

Note that “Beloved” in many mystical writings, including the works of Rumi as well as those of Christian mystics, refers to the Divine, whether you characterize that as God, Christ or Christ Consciousness, the soul, the Infinite Spark within, etc. It speaks of the seeking and finding of spiritual awakening and union with the Divine, even if it comes across to our cultural ears as a romantic love song.

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Lyrics

Oh Lord, my Love and my God,
Lend me your arms to shield me from fear,
Wash from my heart the anger of my life
That I may live for peace and joy forever more

Oh Lord, if I must bear the burden of my past
Make it like a feather on the breeze
If I must sing forever of my song
Let it be a song of your praise

Oh Lord, my Love and my God,
Be with me as a shepherd with his lamb
That I may know your guidance in my heart
And live your love with all I am.

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