The Keeper of the Stars

If you were a teen in the mid-90s in Texas, likely every dance you went to played "The Keeper of The Stars" by Tracy Byrd. It was the quintessential song for you and your guy to sway to before the night was over. I hadn't heard this song in years, until today. I was at the neighborhood pool with my little man and they had some old country playing on the sound system. 

I've always been fascinated with the lyrics of songs. From as far back as I can remember I could hear a song on the radio 2 or 3 times and know it by heart. This quirk brought much consternation to my parents. They worried their little 4 year old would go to Sunday school and request "Jose Cuervo" during worship at children's church. Nothing like a curly haired girl in a ruffle dress wanting to belt out, "I like to drink you with a little salt and lime!"

So, back to 2015 at the pool with my 17 month old son. The song playing through the speakers took me back in time and I started singing along in my head:

It was no accident me finding you

Someone had a hand in it

Long before we ever knew

Now I just can't believe you're in my life

Heaven's smilin' down on me

As I look at you tonight

I tip my hat to the keeper of the stars

He sure knew what he was doin'

When he joined these two hearts

I hold everything

When I hold you in my arms

I've got all I'll ever need

Thanks to the keeper of the stars

Soft moonlight on your face oh how you shine

It takes my breath away

Just to look into your eyes

I know I don't deserve a treasure like you

There really are no words

To show my gratitude

So I tip my hat to the keeper of the stars

He sure knew what he was doin'

When he joined these two hearts

I hold everything

When I hold you in my arms

I've got all I'll ever need

Thanks to the keeper of the stars

The next thing I knew I had tears springing up in my eyes. I was thankful I was at the pool with sunglasses and water splashed on my face so the other pool-goers wouldn't notice I was gripped with emotion.  I realized this was no longer a song about a guy in love with a girl, but about me and my son. After 7 years of infertility struggles, I know without a doubt, it was no accident me finding Arlo. I look back on those years of frustration and want and can see that it was so I could be here in this moment with this boy. I do feel like I hold everything when I hold him in my arms. I hold my hopes for the future. And if you've ever held your baby in the moonlight hours and seen the graceful slope of a soft warm cheek...well, there really are no words to show my gratitude. So, I tip my hat to my husband for walking that path with me, to our doctors and modern medicine, to our remarkable egg donor, and ultimately to the keeper of the stars for aligning things in his perfect time.