A Tyneside dad and granddad who was widowed six years ago has put his emotions into a song which he hopes will help others deal with the grief of losing a loved one and the feelings of loneliness which can be intensified during the Christmas period.
Paul Grant (61) from Heaton lost his wife Jackie (aged 53) to cancer in 2015 and like many people has learned to live with the hurt and emptiness associated with losing someone close to them in their lives.
Care worker Paul has always been involved in the North East music scene and has drummed in bands since he was a teenager playing in a Juvenile Jazz Band. His latest project sees him drumming for rock n roll group, The Baldy Holly Band. His love of music prompted him to write a song which helped him personally to express his feelings of loss and pain. Now however, he is hoping that the lyrics and meaning behind them will help others in a similar situation to himself.
“Over the past six years I’ve written down my thoughts and kept them to myself in a notebook. Many of the things I’ve jotted down were everyday things that many of us take for granted such as watching my wife falling asleep as a passenger in the car or me waking up in bed in the morning and knowing my wife was next to me. Waking up now without her there is still painful to this day.
“It dawned on me that my thoughts were probably like many other people’s and as they gave me comfort perhaps, I could help others through my love of music. “
With Paul’s many friends in the music industry he set out to record the song “I Miss You.” The music was written to Paul’s words by Tony Davis and beautifully sung by vocal coach and singer Jen Stevens from South Shields.
The result is an emotional power ballad that has a distinctive Christmas feel – something that Paul was keen to portray in the song.
“Christmas was Jackie’s favourite time of the year and preparations used to start in October to make sure everything was just right for the big day for us and our grown-up children
Michelle, Caroline, Beverley, and Paul. It’s at family times like Christmas that people feel grief the most and I want to remind people that this feeling is normal and you’re not alone.”
The song also conjures up images of good times spent together, family photographs and pets.
“I hope the song will give comfort to many people who are going through the same situation as I went through as it brings back lovely memories which remind you that no one ever really leaves you as they are stored in your memory forever.
“When this happens it’s a terrible time in your life, but I found that no matter how dark things seem there is light at the end of the tunnel.
“I sincerely hope that people hearing the song will gain a little piece of comfort which will rekindle their own fond memories of their loved ones and help them get through this Christmas.”
The song is available on Spotify and itunes http://open.spotify.com/album/4oOksfrZ8goAJiV8UHRaR3
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/id1591628366
The video can be seen here: https://vimeo.com/648518997/2abfff1c94
Photo shows: Paul and Jen on the set of the video production (Credit: XL Creative Media)
Interviews available Media and Press – Keith@highlightspr.co.uk 07814