Watching Momma Turn in to an Angel



My precious mom passed away on November 28th, 2007. The family had a wonderful Thanksgiving gathering the week before, which mom felt good enough that day to attend and participate. We each got to tell mom why we were thankful for her. Many tears were shed. I told her that I was grateful for her reading scriptures to me each morning and for all her nagging that made me a better person. I had already begun writing this song a few weeks before when I had heard that she might only have a few days left. As I fought with the thought of losing my mom, I had the silent thought come to me, "Lord, it's hard to watch momma turn in to an angel." We buried mom at my wife's family cemetery in Cane Beds, AZ. The family had the honor of digging her grave by hand. It was a unique and special experience for each who participated. I finished the song on the way to the studio after digging the grave with my sister in law Susie Ericsson and my Niece Baylee Raye. Susie had to drive so I could write the lyrics. The song came together quickly with John Houston's incredible piano part. He put it all together as I sang him the newly penned lyrics in less than 10 minutes. The song was played as she was lowered in to her grave a few days latter. This is my sincerest song I've ever written and probably ever will. Some days I wish she could have heard it before she left us, but then I realize that she has heard it, because I couldn't have written it all by myself. Thanks mom! You're still the best and it really has been hard watching you turn in to an angel.