This story was triggered by a routine call from Em’s mom. She began with the usual opening line, ”Well, I don’t really know anything, but just wanted to hear your voice.”

As we talked more, we realized that in many ways, we do the same thing with our kids. We realize now that we do in fact share the need to “hear their voices.” You can tell a lot by the tone. We just want to know that everything’s all right.

There’s definitely a place for those brief, upbeat calls—“Checking in, just routine contact. “

Lyrics

I got a call today, random, empty
Completely lacking anything to tell me
Checking in, just routine contact
Listening for that tone in my voice
Everything’s alright

Picked up the telephone absent-minded
Distracted from my thoughts, not thinking clearly
Surprised a bit by my reluctance
Once she hears my voice she knows that
Everything’s alright

She only wants to hear that
Everything’s alright

Can she know that I had the flu
Concealed from her
Can she tell I’ve been feeling so blue
There is no cause for fretting

No reason to worry
I don’t want to be any bother
No need for losing sleep
Let’s just say everything is alright

Let’s just say everything’s okay
After all, that’s why she calls
That’s why she calls

I made a call today, random, empty
Completely lacking anything to tell her
Checking in, just routine contact
Listening for that tone in her voice
Everything’s alright

Just to hear her voice
That’s why I call

Credits

From By Invitation, track released 01 August 2009
Cheryl Martlage – Lyrics and vocals
Emerson Martlage – Music, guitar and vocals
Mr Toad’s San Francisco – Mastering