The Big Red Dog: Paintings On My Wall
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Paintings On My Wall: Reflections
Music and Lyrics by Jennifer Triplett
When I began working this song out the very first memory of my children’s childhood is my oldest son’s adoration for Clifford the Big Red Dog. I’m not quite sure what it was about the big red dog but he was a magical soothsayer. My son would watch every episode as often as he could. We had to stock a back up Clifford just in case the original met some unfortunate fate.
I remember one day his younger brother, who at the time was having a melt down (as 2-years tend to), and my son left the room and returned with the back up Clifford and lovingly handed it to him.
Clifford travelled everywhere, including Canada. He was also part of day-today playtime activities. Birthdays were themed with this big red dog. I remember searching online for Clifford decorations.
I even had to hunt down a Clifford Halloween costume. After hours of visiting various online used stores I found one and to my relief it even fit. That was one of my biggest triumphs as a mom.
By middle school Clifford was set aside, worn, but still intact.
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Trophies and Ribbons Hidden In a Drawer
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Paintings On My Wall: Reflections
Music by Jennifer Triplett
One of my favorite lines from the lyrics of my song ‘Paintings On my Wall’ is “trophies and ribbons hidden in a drawer all that was ever needed was confidence and love”. It isn’t that I didn’t want my sons to not celebrate their victories, it’s just that their victories were soon forgotten as they would move onto other things. I do think that there is a push for children to always win and always be rewarded. The physical reward is handed out but the mental reward of accomplishment is something that comes from within and really needs to be felt. I really have found ribbons stuffed in clothes drawers or toy boxes; some were first place some third or fourth.
Paintings On My Wall: The Things I am Grateful for as a Mom
The advice “enjoy it while you can this moment will pass by fast”, is wise. Ignored at the time as a mom who was too involved in making sure she did everything right in her new mom career.
One early morning, I was just sitting on my couch strumming some chords with no intention. Before I knew it the melody I was creating reminded me of all the highlights of being a mom.
Clifford the Big Red Dog, my first son’s favorite toy. He would take it everywhere. By age 10 Clifford was so severely worn we bought a back up just in case he was unrepairable. My son found the back up one day and offered it to his younger brother.
My sons and I played board games as a daily break from the day just before nap time (which really was my nap time because they never napped). I’ll admit it wasn’t every day we did this but it was often. The games were generally word games which they both absolutely loved.
My thoughts further travelled to their keen interests in science and music. Looking back at videos one son was the DJ and the other the composer. They both loved to read and discuss science topics whether it was Earth Science or Space Science.
I loved these personalities. The words just started to flow.
Lyrics: Jennifer Triplett, Copyright 2025
As I’m thinking through the days of parenting and love
Time has slipped on by in not so graceful ways
Tiny hands held and paintings on my wall
Stories of a big red dog gone through them all
These are the things that I am grateful for today
Small tokens held in my heart will never go away
Pink ponies chasing rainbows in your dreams
Life. Life. Life is better with you.
Band camps and science fairs been through them all
Trophies and ribbons hiding in a drawer
All that’s ever needed is confidence and love
These are the things that I cherish in my heart
These are the things that I am grateful for today
Small tokens of memories cherished to stay
Pink ponies dancing on rainbows in the sky
Life. Life. Life is better with you.
Lemon drops and sugar pops shared from time to time
Board games on a rainy day silly songs that rhyme
There’s never a day that pasts that I regret you
These are the things that I hold true
These are the things that I am grateful for today
While the pink pony gallops always
Paintings on my wall will never fade away
Life. Life. Life is better with you.