“Beautiful children have come into my life; Beautiful people, oh young and bright.” Dilworth Karaka, Charlie Tumahai, Todd Casella, ‘Sensitive to a Smile.’ Image: Su Leslie, 2002
Herbs is a NZ reggae band that formed in 1979 and is still performing — albeit with a much changed line-up.
Sensitive to a Smile was released in 1987, and I remember it mainly, in a fairly abstract way, as a political song. It wasn’t until the boy-child was born in 1998 that the political became personal.
There comes a time in everyone’s life
No room for mistrust, no room for hate
Open up your heart, don’t look away
When I found myself responsible for that tiny bundle, grown from the love between his father and myself, I realised how invested I had become in wanting a better world, not only for my child, but for all mothers’ children.
“Quality in life that’s hard to find, Like a child with an open mind” Dilworth Karaka, Charlie Tumahai, Todd Casella, ‘Sensitive to a Smile.’ Image: Su Leslie, 2016
“… Love for them is love for all …” Dilworth Karaka, Charlie Tumahai, Todd Casella, ‘Sensitive to a Smile.’ Image: Su Leslie, 2005
Zimmerbitch 
Such great photos. You really capture his personality–even as a baby.
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Thanks so much Amy. Until recently he was constantly smiling and happy to “play” with the camera. But these teen years will pass (she said through gritted teeth).
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LOL! Right now I can’t stand that my not-yet-six year old grandson insists on a fakey smile when his picture is taken. I’d take a surly teenager!
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Oh I remember that phase! 🙂
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Your song was so adorable. Great to go with the song.
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Happy Mother’s Day Su.
Leslie
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Thank you so much Leslie 🙂
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Great post – thought I wouldn’t remember this but I did…
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That first photo of you boy!! I hope you have a big copy framed somewhere. It’s a great shot. I’m really enjoying all of your music posts. So far, every song has been new to me. Thank you for sharing part of your world.
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Thanks Amberly. I’m glad you are enjoying the music. I’m having such fun listening to this part of the back catalog of songs that have touched my life. 🙂
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Su, I love Herbs!! And this song in particular is a touchstone to those years raising my kids, here in Aotearoa. They’re men now but, exasperating though it might be for them sometimes, always my babies! Lovely photos of your son. Happy Mother’s Day !!
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Hi Jill. I’m rediscovering how much musical talent there is in Aotearoa. Herbs is definitely one of my favourite bands. Happy Mother’s Day to you also. 🙂
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I had to stop this video midway to write this comment. I’ve been watching you post NZ music and I said to myself: I’ll catch up with you in bulk, and now I’m doing it. Watching this video, the people, the customs, I feel like watching a parallel reality. You are on the opposite side of the globe from me. The furthest one can be. 🙂 That said, I love watching these people. So serene. Such love in their eyes. It reminds me of the time it was and never will be again. Keep it up, please, at least you. ❤
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Reblogged this on Zimmerbitch and commented:
I couldn’t do 30 Days, 30 Songs without including Herbs, the legendary Kiwi reggae band. A couple of years ago, I wrote a post about one of my favourite Herbs songs, Sensitive to a Smile. Reading that post again today, I still feel the same way — just with more urgency now.
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I like the song, another discovery for me. Thanks. The video is beautiful too, not to mention your son’s gorgeous smile. There is so much love in your photos.
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Thank you. He is my only child, and I adore him.
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I have a 15 year old son and a 23 year old stepdaughter. I am so proud to say that they both love each other and get along so well despite their age difference. It makes me cry with joy to see them together, laughing and having a good time. Hope this complicity between them will last. I love them both so much.
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That’s fantastic. I’m sure if they are getting along so well now, it will continue. I think the patterns of interaction we have with siblings is mainly formed in childhood.
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I believe so too.
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