I wrote this post awhile ago but wasn’t ready to share it. I’m ready today…
I played that song over and over again for hours. I would listen to it the entire way to work and again the entire way home. I cried. It made me cry. And yet, it reminded me to keep breathing. Just keep breathing. For as long as I keep breathing, I will be okay.
I don’t cry as much as I did then…as much as I want to, God knows no one can cry that much forever. But I still cry. And it feels good-to just cry. Sometimes, when I get a heavy heart, I turn this song on to help me cry. Because sometimes, crying just makes it better.
My favorite part is from 2:20-3:10.
This post, although written from sadness is not meant to make ya’ll sad. Instead, I hope it reminds you that as long as you keep breathing, you are okay. And, if you need to, just cry. Because sometimes, crying makes it better.
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
Jen, you are a special girl! My best to you always. VW
Hi Jen,
I have been reading and following your blog for some time now, and I thought today was a perfect time to tell you what a strong person you really are. Your post today was powerful and very moving. That song is wonderful and sure gives a person inspiration to keep going on every day. In fact, you are inspiration to many people each day, and I want to thank you for telling your story. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other as each new day starts, no matter how hard it may seem or if you think you can’t. You have proven that it is possible!
Best Wishes,
Jenn
Jenn – I lost my dad to a work accident almost 4 years ago…I still feel his presence brush my arm occasionally, I still think to call him – essentially missing him more than I ever anticipated. (we had a tumultuous relationship.) And crying, there are days when the tears creep up on me…and I let them. Breathe.
Crying helps. I know the loss you are going through and sometimes to cry and let the emotion out really does bring us close to our lost one, helps us remember them, even for just that short time. Beautiful post!
That song has pulled me through some very tough times. I was hoping it would help you, too, and I’m so glad it has the same effect on you as it does me. Music is SO powerful. Love ya, lady. Keep breathing
Hey Jen. I lurves me a good cry. It sounds like you’re in a healing place. Awesomesauce. Thanks for always offering soft support and a been-there-done-that reality check. Today I ran my 26th mile, 1 day at a time. To me, it’s a marathon. I’m doing a giveaway tomorrow. Hope you can stop by and say hey. Thanks for the smiles. You’re my hero.
I haven’t heard this song before, but I love it.
Love, love, lovelovelovelovelove it.
*hugs*
through it all the one thing we can fall back on is the memories, and no matter if they make you laugh or cry they are your own.
I know exactly how you feel and I am sending you a big hug Jen.
Thanks for sharing. I really like the words.
I love Ingrid. She’s coming to the Basilica Block Party this year too!
Hi,
Fourteen years ago today I lost my husband. I have a beautiful 16yr old who looks just like him. Thank you for the post and the words. I needed that.
Sue
Breathing and crying…both wonderful forms of cleansing: emotional, physical, mental. Thanks for sharing…
Wow, that is a great song. So lovely. I’m so proud of you for sharing this, Jen. I admire your honesty and your strength and your determination to just “keep breathing.”
Thank you for such a powerful post. I really really needed this today..and the song is just beautiful.
Love you. That is all.
You amaze me more every day with your strength and inner beauty.
Grief is such a marathon (as opposed to a sprint). It sounds to me like you’ve arrived at the starting line. Thank you for sharing your journey.
Jen,
I love that song I have it on my ipod and listen to it at least once a week. I have to admit it is my crying song too. My mother passed away in 1995 and I agree sometimes you just need to cry over it.
nothing more than this:
xo xo
and a reminder my cell is always on.
Beautiful! It’s only been 11 weeks since my Dad was killed in his car accident. I still cry, not every day, but I still cry. It still hurts he was ripped out of our lives, still hurts there was no warning and no good bye’s. Still pisses me off that his spot in the garage is empty while a spot in the cemetery is full
Jen
http://jenslosinit.blogspot.com/
I just found your blog today. I just saw this post and I know that I was led to it. This 4th of July would have been my mom’s 89th birthday…but she died on the 5th of July 4 years ago…the day after her 85th birthday. It has been 4 years since she died…I had 9 weeks to care for her and to say goodbyes…but I must say, goodbyes being said or not…there is a great hole left behind and no amount of goodbyes will ever suffice. I lost my dad a year and a half ago and I just keep breathing and putting one foot in front of the other…and some days I feel the weight of knowing I’m an “orphan”…and I am 55 years old! There is no age too old to miss those people who loved and nurtured us and were always a soft place to fall when our hearts were heavy!
Your post touched my heart and my soul understands and feels your loss. I, also, had an experience with a song that I played over and over and still do play it when I want to feel close to my mother and the angels…Jill Siberry’s performance of “Calling All Angels”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjkJDu0B-1U&feature=related
I had the Keep Breathing on my iPod but had never looked up the video on YouTube. Thank you for sharing it…it touched me deeply and I needed it to bring about the cleansing tears that I shed today.
Thank you
Toni