New Project / Free Download: "Everything" + Lullabies

In 2012, upon hearing that my friend's sister and her husband suffered a miscarriage, words began pouring into my mind and within an hour, "Everything" was written. A year later, they asked if they could share the song with other families who have lost a child. I re-recorded "Everything" along with two other lullabies I had previously arranged, and am now releasing that as a free download. Please feel free to share it, as that is it's purpose-- to hopefully bring comfort to families who are grieving.

I, Allison Barnes, arranged and recorded "All the Pretty Little Horses" and "Hush Little Baby." I also wrote an additional ending to "Hush Little Baby."

"Everything" was written and sung by me, Allison Barnes, with guitar by David Rose.

Download the album here.

Don't Forget

photo by gary barnes

Note to Self: 

The more you love your decisions, 

the less you need others to love them.

don't fuss dear

"It's that wonderful old-fashioned idea that others come first and you come second. This was the whole ethic by which I was brought up. Others matter more than you do, so don't fuss, dear; get on with it."

- Audrey Hepburn

Christmas Time

We have been down and out here at the Fish residence. Well... I have been down and out and Billy has been taking care of everything, including working all week and most of the weekend, coming home to keep me alive, taking care of the child, and keeping the house clean. After what I thought would be a easy surgery and quick recovery, we finally went to the Instacare to get antibiotics, and pump me full of fluid and pain medicine. I am feel much better and have been trying to get that darn Christmas Spirit back and seems to have gotten scared away by all the throwing up and terrible pain.

But now that I write that, I think there has been a lot of Christmas Spirit roaming our house, just not the way it usually is. While I was too sick to take care of my normal duties, friends and family brought over hoards of food, took care of our teething feisty crawler, decorated for the Christmas party that I was suppose to decorate, and help me get some Christmas shopping done. So much charity and love.

Thank Heavens for true Christmas Spirit.

Those Who Save Us

"Thee lift me, and I'll lift thee, and we'll both ascend together."

~Anonymous

There is so much unkindness and selfishness in the world. It would be easy to think that no one cares for others anymore.

But I believe in kindness. I believe in the people who save our lives and our souls and our sanity. I believe in being kind to strangers and neighbors. I believe in kindness even when it doesn't always seem deserved.

I am grateful to the friend who brought me soup and conversation when my health and hope was at its lowest.

I am grateful for the man who, when I was a poor college student, left his change at the front desk for me, not knowing I had no money to buy my last textbook.

I am grateful to my friend from high school who, seeing a child drowning, pulled him from the water and revived him, saving his life and his parents from great grief.

I am grateful to the bystanders who saw a motorcyclists life in danger and stepped up, lifted the car that was on top of him and pulled him to safety.

I am grateful for the men and women who ran into the burning Twin Towers on that fateful September day to save the people left inside.

I believe in the greatness in everyday people. I believe in the kindness in you and me. We can save one another, in big ways and in small.

THANK YOU for the kindness you show those around you. You are someones savior. Never forget that worth (and responsibility) you hold.

Inspire us! Share your stories of kindness that you or others have shown.

“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”

~Mother Teresa

"...let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work."

~Mother Teresa

There are people in our lives who do amazing things. They travel the world, caring for the needy, fighting for the rights of those less fortunate.

Sometimes, I wonder, since I have not done those things, if my contribution to the world is of any worth.

But then I remind myself that I can and do make a contribution:

I can smile and be kind to the cashier at the grocery store.

I can make a dinner for the family in my neighborhood that just had a baby.

I can learn how to garden and make a space that emits beauty and peace (and be able to eat my own vegetables).

I can greet my husband after a long day of work with a sincere smile and kiss, letting him know what he means to me.

I can teach my daughter how to read and draw, to appreciate art and literature, and help her understand and feel the great worth that she has.

I can make a difference, even in this little corner of the earth that I live.