~3 Little Birds~

There is a story about the 3 Little Birds (I know that this picture is of 4 little birds...but read on)....it's not long, so don't worry. But you have to hear it to understand why I did what I did.
My brother Ben, passed away at age 19. He was totally into Rastafarian music, especially Bob Marley. One of his favorite songs was 3 Little Birds.

When he passed away and we were planning his memorial service, we picked the song "3 Little Birds" to not only play but to sing along to. We had little handouts with the words to it that we gave to all the people that attended the service, and there were a lot of people. So when we all sang it, although broken and weepy, it sounded so cool.
So then for years, every time I saw a bird, I wondered if it was Ben looking down at us. The song would repeat in my head often and it would bring comfort.

Well then, Chandra my sister-in-law who is married to the middle brother Jake...well, her brother got really sick. He also passed away. He was 24. I didn't ever get to meet him, but I knew a lot about him. Chandra and Jake met after the Navy had taken Derek and I away. I didn't get to know her family because we didn't live in the same city or state.

So, this is how the song "3 Little Birds" comes into play...at Chandra and Jake's wedding.

The DJ played a song, that the family had dedicated to Jason, Chandra's brother. It was oddly enough, "3 Little Birds". I was a little thrown off by the coincidence. Chandra told me Jason loved that song. Also that they had played that at his service. Hmm....so....the story goes on.

Now we have lost Ian. While trying to put together a Memorial service, Ian's ex-girlfriend (Bonnie), whom he had spent the last few years with sent us a list of music that was Ian's favorites. Oddly enough, the #1 song on her list was...Yep, you guessed it, "3 Little Birds"...OK, now that is just too much of a coincidence. Really, come on...so.....

After Ian was killed, we all went to the beach for a couple of days...to get Debbie and Scott out of the house, away from it all and to allow them to relax a little and spend some time together with Derek (whom the Navy flew home for 1 week), the girls and the rest of us. Well, Ian always wanted a tattoo and Deb wouldn't let him...so someone, not me..came up with the idea that we all go and get tattoos in honor of Ian. So, with Pacific Beach (the tattoo capitol of San Diego) being right down the road....we set off to find out about it.
Well, for the few of those that know me, I am NOT a tattoo girl. Not at all. I am not into pain and not into body art...well...I got swayed. It was a group thing. Chandra had come up with a saying that was in Latin, it means "The Gods Favor Those That Die Young"...but she had this pact....if one partner of our 2 couples (only the boys, so Jake and Chandra and Derek and I) didn't want to get the saying, then the other one couldn't. It was an all or nothing type of deal. So, I did it.
We all got the words on different places. Chandra got them on her wrist, Jake on his chest, Derek across his back and me on my shoulder. It was all in honor of these 3 young men and brothers that we had all lost. A common bond, unfortunately.
So, this is where the 3 Little Birds come into play. I knew that I had to have 3 birds....but they didn't have ANY bird examples that I liked..none...I knew the look that I wanted..and I knew EXACTLY where I had seen it before....My Mind's Eye..yep, a Tres Jolie card had 4 Little Birds on it...and that's what I wanted. So I drove ALL the way home and rummaged through my scrap area..and found the little tiny card. Took it to the tattoo artist and said, "Can you take out ONE bird"..and he did...and this is what I have on my shoulder now, with the Latin saying underneath.....


And you know....just maybe....every little thing is gonna be all right..........and maybe Ben, Jason and Ian are up there right now, hanging out with Mr. Marley.

Now go and kiss someone you love!
~Katie

Don't worry about a thing,

'Cause every little thing gonna be all right.

Singin': "Don't worry about a thing,

'Cause every little thing gonna be all right!"

Rise up this mornin',

Smiled with the risin' sun,

Three little birds

by my doorstep

Singin' sweet songs

Of melodies pure and true,

Sayin', ("This is my message to you-ou-ou:") Singin':

"Don't worry 'bout a thing,

'Cause every little thing gonna be all right."

Singin': "Don't worry (don't worry) 'bout a thing,

'Cause every little thing gonna be all right!"

Rise up this mornin',

Smiled with the risin' sun,

Three little birds

by my doorstep

Singin' sweet songs

Of melodies pure and true,

Sayin', "This is my message to you-ou-ou:

" Singin': "Don't worry about a thing, worry about a thing,

oh! Every little thing gonna be all right.

Don't worry!" Singin': "Don't worry about a thing" -

I won't worry!

"'Cause every little thing gonna be all right."

Singin': "Don't worry about a thing, 'Cause every little thing gonna be all right" - I won't worry! Singin': "Don't worry about a thing, 'Cause every little thing gonna be all right." Singin': "Don't worry about a thing, oh no!

'Cause every little things gonna be all

ETA- Thanks Carol..Love this version by Elizabeth Mitchell...so much fun to listen too.. I added it to the top of my playlist. Miss you too!!