myjourneysinsight

THIS FEELS SO WRONG

Posted on September 14, 2013 by Judy

Autumn leaves always touch my heart. My child died in the fall and memories return with seasonal change.

Link to more stories about this song: THE UNKNOWN

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My post title is a line of lyrics from my song “The Unknown.” My song changed the direction of my life because it led me to divorce my husband after 31 years of marriage.

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My lyric line of: “It Feels So Wrong” relates to how empty my marriage was. It felt wrong to be married to someone whom I didn’t want to spend any time with.

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But my title also carries another meaning for me; it relates to how vulnerable and open I’ve felt regarding my failed marriage. I’ve shared a great deal of personal information. I’ve wondered; is that wrong? I’ve decided it isn’t. In the past, I’ve anguished about sharing my feelings because I felt guilty. But writing honestly on my blog has been very healing and freeing. I see great value in inspiring others to face the unknown.

I have struggled with many emotions related to the death of my marriage. And it has been very much like a death. One day, I was married to someone for decades. He watched me grow up from the time I was 18 until the age of 53. But when I uttered the words, “I want a divorce,” he exited my life. I had waited a year to find my courage and was relieved that I finally had been able to say those words. He was left coping with his shock, wondering what happened to the woman he was married to.

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This feels so wrong

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Because my husband is still alive, I feel his pain and sometimes I’ll imagine stories about what he thinks of me. Those thoughts are not helpful for me. I prefer to remember instead how we both lived as strangers for many years, and hope that we both heal and move forward in our new lives.

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Something died between us and it happened a long time ago.

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A failed marriage is not about one person being at fault. I’m more than willing to take responsibility for my shortcomings. For years I knew that my marriage required more commitment and energy from me. I had plenty of reasons for not making the time.

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I certainly could have continued living with a marriage lacking both affection and connection. I did it for decades without any expectation that it would change. I wasn’t affectionate towards my husband because I carried a lot of resentment. Therefore, there was no way that I could insist that he change into someone affectionate. Those feelings inspired me to write these lyrics of: “You might not miss me, because you never kiss me.”

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These lyrics were written 35 years ago for my song “Saying Goodbye.” I found a lot of papers that my father saved of mine. I originally wrote “Saying Goodbye” after breaking up with my future husband in 1979. A lot changed in 34 years.

One of my favorite lyric lines that is from another song of mine named “Clear” is:

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“It’s never too late to turn your life around, no reason to wait!”

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I realize that change (such as turning your life around) is something most humans avoid. Unfortunately, the price for staying miserable is very high. We tell ourselves that familiar misery is acceptable because the unknown might be worse.

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The unknown is scary and unpredictable.

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From the moment I was ready to face the unknown, I was determined to change that mindset.

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I view the unknown as exciting and beautiful!

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Autumn leaves always touch my heart. My child died in the fall and memories return with seasonal change.

Below is a continuation of my dialog with Peaches Chrenko (my former voice teacher), while I was composing my song “The Unknown.” I’ve highlighted lyric words with blue.

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JUDY & PEACHES LESSON #3

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Clicking the blue link below plays audio:

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Clip #3 – Judy & Peaches discuss “The Unknown”

J: “Set You Free” is a perfect way to end my book. “Set You Free” ends it with how I’m setting my grief free and I’m setting myself free. That continues with this! It’s a musical of my life and God only knows where it’s going. I’m ready to face the unknown!

P: Judy, I know you are. That’s why it means so much hearing that. And people are so going to relate to that.

J: How many people have the courage? It’s familiar . . .

P: That statement is huge. It’s easier to cling to what you have – it’s not easy to stay in one place, but it’s easier than doing this.

J: I know it is. To reach that point to actually say it! You’ve been there. I’ve never been there – I’ve been married for 30 years with the same person. I’ve never been with anybody else. I’m willing to face the unknown!

P: That’s heavy. I’ve got to tell you – this verse was a killer. These words are so fresh!

The way you sang, “This feels so wrong,” “alert you” and “hurt you.” “Stun” is not a word you hear used in songs, but it should be! There are so many aspects of these kinds of things in relationships that do stun you. I liked the way that worked here: “My words will stun you, ‘cause I’ve begun to leave you behind, I escape in my mind.”

J: What about, “You won’t miss me, you never kiss me?” And the one that really gets me is, “I cry inside where you can’t hear me.” Is that not true? It’s about when you’re crying inside.

P: It just makes you sadder!

J: You’re stuffing it – you’re holding it in.

P: Yeah, you can’t even share – it’s like ultra-alone, so much more alone. To not even share the fact that you feel so alone! I’m laughing, but it’s not funny – it’s horrific, and just so well stated.

J: It’s so hard to rhyme and still show the feelings.

P: Isn’t that such a cool challenge? When you get it, isn’t that the sweetest thing?

J: I love it! Because I put here originally, “Avoid your mood” and then I went to “avoid your direction.” But then I changed it to “Dislike your mood, avoid your direction – there’s no connection.” Then I discovered “affection.”

P: Ooh!

J: The rhyme with “affection” really summed it up for me – much more than “direction.” So “there no connection without affection.” That’s what it’s all about!

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This picture was taken at one of my first lessons with Peaches in 2010.

P: Judy, it’s just amazing. This song is amazing and when you put it with everything else . . .

J: You like this one? It’s a true story!

P: These are not just songs. You ever watch Rod Serling’s Night Gallery?

J: Yes! (Intense laughter) Why, is this a horror?

P: It’s like these songs come to life. It makes me think of paintings that came to life in that show. These are not just songs, just like those were not just paintings.

J: I mean if I put this out there, it’s like it is alive. My husband is always going to know that I wrote a song without telling him. How do I live with that? He’ll say, “Why didn’t you tell me? Why did you write a song and put it out there and not tell me?”

P: What do you think would happen if you told him?

J: I’m facing the unknown; I don’t know. What I’m doing is I’m healing myself.

P: Are you considering telling him? And that’s not a suggestion . . .

J: Not yet. The time is not good. But it’s very hard to contain. So since I can’t contain it, what better way is there for me to channel the feelings? It’s all very clear, and you know clarity is beautiful. I’ll always have it.

P: And it won’t always sting like this.

J: In the musical of my life, it’s just like Jason’s death. When I sang “Saying Goodbye” – you know how we talked about those songs? They’re very painful and they express it and then I can look back later without pain. But still, this is pretty tough.

P: It’s amazing. It is so beautiful. I love using the word “unknown” in a song.

J: Okay, good. Because I always think of the song I used to love from “Fame. “Out Here On My Own” – do you remember that song? (Judy demonstrates)

P: Oh yeah.

J: I was thinking of “Out Here On My Own” and I didn’t want to do that. I kept thinking I’m going to “go out on my own” – but I like this “unknown” better.

P: Yes, this is so fresh – this is you. Congratulations, Judy – you birthed another one.

J: Thanks, Peach. I couldn’t wait to share it with you. You know what’s funny? Like I said, I did it this morning and I typed it up so I’d remember it, but it’s very slow. It reveals itself one word at a time.

You cannot rush it. It speaks when it’s ready.

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JUDY & PEACHES LESSON #4

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Clicking the blue link below plays audio:

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Clip #4 – Judy & Peaches discuss “The Unknown”

Judy strums the ending chord to “The Unknown.”

J: I love that chord at the end. I don’t know about the rhymes “crave” and “brave” – they’re new. I just wrote that this morning. “You’re caught off-guard; this is so hard. The touch that I crave has made me so brave.”

P: Oh, wow! I like “brood and mood.”

J: Well, that is so true.

P: I can tell! It’s not something you just pull out of a hat.

J: And the thing is, that it’s not a surprise to people hearing the song, but it would be a surprise to my husband. Oh God, I’m just hoping he’ll think it’s not about him someday. I don’t know – I don’t know what I’m going to do. It’s too mean. I’m not a mean person, and I’m trying to write this in a sensitive way.

P: Well of course you’re not.

J: Even adding the line, “That’s when I stopped loving you,” is pretty tough. I don’t know if I can even sing that. It’s so honest. When I put in the word “brave,” it pretty much covered all the feelings I needed to cover. I think it’s done.

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P: Oh, I thought about this last week when you played it for me, “I run from you.”

J: That could be a song title.

(Then Judy starts laughing)

J: “I run from you!” It sounds like I have to go to the bathroom!

P: I mean it’s not funny, but most of the songs say, “I run to you.”

J: (Judy sings) “Run to me whenever you’re lonely . . .” That was the Bee Gees!

P: And then Whitney Houston from the movie “The Bodyguard.” (Peaches sings) “I want to run to you . . .”

J: Oh, yeah!

P: All those songs, and I also have a song called, “I Run To You.”

J: So, I’m the opposite.

P: Yeah, it’s not funny . . .

J: It is funny! By the way, I was in such a rush typing this before coming here. Remember I had, “my heart felt so cold?” It was too many syllables. I did change that.

P: Yes, you said you were going to work that out.

J: And it came out better that way. Actually, you don’t need to explain when your heart went cold. You can just feel cold, and that’s when you withdrew. “Your heart is like stone” is such a mean statement. I could rewrite it, “My heart feels like stone – you’re so alone!”

P: There’s just nothing about this that he’s going to feel good about. If it’s about him, he’s still going to feel like he’s the cause of that. You know what I mean? Either way, it just sucks. There’s no pleasant, sweet way to say, “I don’t want to be with you anymore.” The words are the words – the reality is the reality.

J: I thought about the fact that he would tell me not to ever share this song. But how much do I owe him for so much of my life? The other side is, I don’t think it would bother him if the song made millions of dollars – it’s such a good song.

P: Judy, do you hear yourself? Do you hear what you’re saying? What does that say?

J: That tells me something – that if this song were a real moneymaker he would be happy. I really think so. Isn’t that sad?

P: Yeah! It’s really sad! Then you owe it to him to write the best friggin’ song ever. You need to not hold back!

J: Maybe that’s why I’m doing it. I can’t let out the stops – it’s just all coming out.

Clicking the blue link below plays audio:

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JUDY SPEAKING ABOUT “THE UNKNOWN” AT AN OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE

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© Judy Unger and http://www.myjourneysinsight.com 2013. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Judy Unger with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Tagged acoustic guitar, breakup song, childhood friendship, composing, coping with divorce, courage, creativity, divorce after a long marriage, divorce and separation, emotions, Friendship, gray divorce, guitar, Humor, impending divorce, inspiration, lyric development, lyric line, lyric writing, lyrics, Music, original songs, performing, Reasons for divorce, seasonal change, separating after a long marriage, separation, separation and divorce, shortcomings, singing, song leading to divorce, songwriting, voice lessons, writing | Leave a comment

HOLD ON TO EACH DAY

Posted on September 12, 2013 by Judy

This picture above is where I create my artwork and edit my vocals. You do not see a couch. But this is my living room, and it truly is in a completely literal sense of the word. Recently my oldest son has decided to live with me during the week. If you look carefully, you can see him sleeping on a futon right next to my computer desk.

My 22-year-old son has told me that nothing will wake him – not even the light being on when I start working at 6:00 a.m. He says it is a result of hearing constant train noise and sleeping on the floor where his father lives. I’m thankful I could provide a place for him in my tiny apartment. During the day, he has been searching to find a job. I know he will find one soon.

So now I have all three of my children living with me most of the time. And we all share one tiny bathroom just like when I was growing up.

Aside from one big blowup between both my sons versus my daughter, things have been going well. I’ve finally learned to let them work things out.

I’ve discovered that is far better than getting involved with their problems. In my former life, I was a “fixer.” But when I get drawn into drama, I usually end up being a target.

On most weekends, my sons leave to visit their father. I do notice a different feeling in my apartment with fewer bodies around.

And here’s a confession: On the weekends if I’m alone, I’ll find myself singing and dancing naked through my apartment!

My life has been busy. I am juggling several illustration assignments and adrenaline is pumping through me. It sure feels great to be working as an illustrator again. So many times, I have written off my art career.

But suddenly, I am back in business.

When I used to have long breaks between assignments (sometimes as long as a year), my confidence as an illustrator went below my ankles. Also, throughout my career I’ve experienced performance anxiety with every job.

But for some reason, that anxiety is gone now. I am simply elated to know that I have the ability to earn money as a single woman.

Nothing is simple, though. Two days ago, our air conditioning stopped working. Then today, my daughter informed me that our shower wasn’t working. My oldest son turned it on to demonstrate. He laughed as I was soaked from the water spraying everywhere. I should have known better than to fall for his trick. My daughter had clued me in when she moaned, “I’m late for work and had to rinse my hair in the bathtub!”

Buying a new shower head went to the top of my errand list.

Today, I was simply amazed how I juggled everything. I wrote for my blog, worked on artwork, fit in lunch with my mother and took care of having those broken things fixed.

I even found time to sing vocals for half an hour before the air conditioner repairman showed up! Every minute of my day was touching and carried meaning for me.

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Kissing my mom outdoors

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When my mother came into my car today, I gasped when she said hoarsely, “How’s your work going?” For some reason, I am never prepared for my mother’s occasional clarity.

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Only that morning, my mother had a chest x-ray because her cough was worse than usual. I received another call from the nursing home just as I was leaving for lunch. They wanted to inform me that my mother had another large bruise on her leg.

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When I saw my middle brother, he asked me how my eyes were doing, I blinked and told him, “Crappy.” It was true. I saw blurs and spots, and dryness was a constant source of discomfort. But I was grateful that I could still create artwork and music. I wasn’t going to allow my eyesight to distract me from enjoying my life.

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I regaled everyone at the lunch table with stories about my illustration assignments. There were so many funny anecdotes that I wrote another story, which I’ll share soon.-

I beamed and smiled throughout our lunch. Music filled my heart and I was bursting with joy over where my life was going. I especially was eager to hug a certain waitress at the restaurant. Her name was Melissa.

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She read my blog and I had shared CD’s with her. Anyone who listened to my music or read my words were connected to me. My heart was open and I just welcomed them into my inspired and beautiful world.

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In our brief interactions, I knew Melissa’s mother-in-law was mourning a daughter who had recently died. Melissa had a young son who had undergone heart surgery. And soon he was going to be five years old.

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In only a few weeks, it would be the twenty-first anniversary of my son, Jason’s death. Jason died at the age of five and would always remain that age for me.

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I asked Melissa if we could take a picture together that I could share on my blog. She happily obliged.

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As I ate my lunch, I noticed my mother’s alertness had vanished and her face was placid. I tried to include her in our conversations, but dementia had once again stolen her away. She was coughing a lot, which exhausted her. Now she was silent and remote.

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Suddenly, I looked closer. My mother’s dull eyes were staring and expressionless, but a huge tear was rolling down her cheek. I watched as the tear dropped down onto the table. I looked over to my mother’s companion, Miriam, who was sitting next to her.

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I said, “Miriam, why is my mother crying?”

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Miriam leaned close to my mother. My mother whispered something I could not hear.

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Miriam said, “Your mother just said she was crying because she is so happy to be with all of us.”

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This is Melissa, the waitress that I look forward to seeing every week when I go out to lunch with my mother, Miriam, my middle brother and my nephew.

This is Melissa, the waitress whom I look forward to seeing every week when I go out to lunch with my mother.

Just last week, I received a question from my friend, Steve. I want to share my answer here.

On Sep 6, 2013, Steve wrote:

On your last post you mentioned this sentence: God channels songs to help a sad, middle-aged woman.

It seems more appropriate to someone who is really religious. (God channels….) Would you consider yourself a “happy person” with your eye problems and still seeing a hypnotherapist weekly? And seemingly only happy when writing or listening to your own music?

Hi Steve,

I do feel very inspired by God – so that was an honest statement. I’m extremely spiritual without entering a temple to feel that way.

I’m usually smiling and walking with a dance in my step whether I have music on or not. I always hear it in my mind.

I still see my hypnotherapist, Connie every week. I adore her and feel like she’s a great friend. She’s such a positive person and has helped me through so many tough things.

I love writing and where I’m living. I have some challenges with my kids, but usually I can work through everything. Divorce is never simple, but I feel like I’ve come through the worst.

My eyes are often cloudy, blurry and foggy. They get dry.

But I still stay positive and smile.

Judy

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These lyrics are from my recent song “Somewhere I Can’t See.”

© Judy Unger and http://www.myjourneysinsight.com 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Judy Unger with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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I’M READY TO LIVE ON MY OWN – PART 2

Posted on September 6, 2013 by Judy

This image is from a video of one of my first performances playing my guitar again after 30 years.

This image is from a video of my first open mic performance after no playing my guitar for 30 years.

Link to more stories about my song: THE UNKNOWN

When I eventually market the audio book that tells my story, I’ll need to write a synopsis. Here are some examples of what I could write:

1. A sad, middle-aged woman begins to play her guitar again. She decides to go off and sing, leaving her husband behind.

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2. God channels songs to help a sad, middle-aged woman. She transforms into a happy person and leaves her husband to share her music and message with the world.

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Early performance 2

Hmmm . . . those scenarios aren’t feeling too great for me. It seems that I need more than two sentences.

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1. One day, a woman who overcame tragedy in her life decides to express her feelings. She begins to write and sing, and as a result she heals a great deal of her pain and sadness. Every song is a blessing for her – her subconscious speaks to her through her own song lyrics.

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The above synopsis could be enough – but then there is more to my story.

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One day, a certain song begins to erupt. It expresses feelings she never allowed herself to admit before. Her song gives her clarity, but it takes time for her to find courage. Finally, with great anguish, she ends her lonely marriage because she feels self-worth she never had before. With passion and enthusiasm she embarks upon a new life. She hopes to inspire other people to know that healing is possible and devotes her life to sharing her songs and stories with the world.

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Butterfly photo by Judy

When my blog began in 2010, I titled my first post with these words: “Writing and sharing; something new and different.”

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At that time, I had no idea where my journey would lead. It was this new approach to life that allowed me to pick up my guitar and play again after three decades.

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But as I began to share my life stories on my blog, I was overwhelmed by all the sadness and grief lurking inside my heart. There were so many feelings that I had suppressed for such a long time. At first, it was terrifying to release them. Then I noticed that my heart began to feel lighter and lighter with every feeling that I shared.

During my first year, I bounced between intense joy and intense sadness. The joy came from releasing my sadness while at the same time reliving trauma from my past. It had been so long since I had allowed myself to feel anything. For years, I was numb and dead inside. I simply was grateful that I had survived so many challenges.

But there was a moment when everything changed. It began with a new song that erupted from me.

For the first year of my journey, I was not ready to write new songs about my life. Instead, I was determined to remember all the songs from my youth.

But eventually none were left because I had recorded and/or revised all thirty of them. I also noticed that I wasn’t joyful anymore. My father was ill and my mother’s dementia had progressed to where I lost their involvement in my life. I lived in a bubble with my music, which inspired me to stay positive.

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My father worried about me a lot, but supported my decision to end my marriage. His death freed me.

One of my first songs that carried new lyrics, I named “Memory of Love.” With that song, I expressed the anguish of losing my mother to dementia. But it was interesting that within my lyrics there was a dual meaning. I wrote:

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“I’m lonely and I cannot share. I cannot tell you, so instead I just pretend. It’s easier that way than to face the end.”

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Even though I wrote this for my mother with dementia, it also applied to my marriage.

With my next song “Set You Free” I wrote:

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“I know you can’t stay and soon you’ll be gone. I cry as you leave, but I truly believe – as you leave my sight, we’ll both be all right.”

I wrote this for my father who was dying, but it also applied to my marriage.

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Butterfly paintings

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My song “The Unknown” was so painful for me that I became physically ill.

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I did not want to write it, but felt compelled. I really needed to go through my day to places that healed me, because I was completely guilt-ridden and anxious.

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Only a few weeks after composing “The Unknown,” I told my voice teacher, Peaches, that God was helping me release my pain with another new song. My inspirational follow-up song I named “Hang On,” and it definitely soothed my aching soul.

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Still, my subconscious wasn’t satisfied. Once again, new lyrics began bursting forth to prod me.

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The song that followed “Hang On,” I named “Clear.” If ever there was an obvious message for me, this song held it.

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Every time I sang the last line, I cried. That’s because the lyrics for the last chorus of “Clear” went:

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“I celebrate, it wasn’t too late. I turned my life around, got up off the ground, happiness I found – there was no reason to wait.”

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I cried, because I was waiting.

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I was waiting for courage.

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When the closet is bare

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As I waited for courage, lyrics began to emerge for yet another song. I named it “The Door.” The words for that song began to push me closer and closer toward leaving my empty marriage. I could not ignore the feelings anymore with these words:

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“When love went away, I just couldn’t stay. It was time; I knew it then – to begin my life again. Somehow, I’d be okay – even though love went away. I knew I was worth more, so I went through that door.”

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With my father’s death, I found my courage and went through a door into a new life.

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The bare closet

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I eventually plan to share my song arrangements for “The Unknown” and “The Door” on this blog. But first, I want to share intimately how my song “The Unknown” led me to end my 31-year marriage.

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How was it possible that a song could actually change the direction of my life?

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Just as I shared my conversations with Dr. Sam, I share now my passionate discussions of songwriting with a fellow songwriter – Peaches Chrenko. Peaches was one person who always appreciated what I was creating with my music and words. She moved out-of-state just as I was separating from my husband toward the end of 2012.

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She was my vocal coach for three years and I’ve missed her songwriting input. But just last week, I spoke with her and we are going to continue working together over the phone. I’m very excited to share with her my newest song compositions.

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Below, are audio recordings of my discussions with Peaches while my song “The Unknown” was unfolding. After those discussions, there is a recording of a recent performance of my song at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. For people who are too busy to listen to my 5 minute clips, I have transcribed them.

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JUDY & PEACHES LESSON #1

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Clicking the blue link below plays audio:

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Clip #1 – Judy & Peaches discuss “The Unknown”

J: It’s all true!

P: That’s what’s so special.

J: I leave from here and I have to let the stress go off of me because I go to see both my parents. First my mother, then my father – I can’t see them together because my father doesn’t want to be around my mother. She’s too confused for him. Oh, I’m writing a new song. I brought my guitar! Are you ready?

P: Okay, I am!

Judy plays a guitar intro and then sings: “Somewhere over the rainbow . . .” (Intense laughter)

P: I guess that does sound kind of familiar, now that you mention it!

J: It go to a minor, I know – but when I hear it, I start thinking of that. Maybe I have to change it. I do have a complete first verse of lyrics, but I like doing “la la” for some reason until I get the melody set. I think there are some possibilities.

Now I need a good chorus. I have no idea what the lyrics are. I feel like I’m not ready to write this song; it’s going to happen when it’s ready.

P: Isn’t that something how the more you write, the more you trust the process?

J: Yes. I want a chorus with a different rhythm; I like that feeling. I played around with this for the chorus. (Judy demonstrates some chords).

P: Very nice! I love the rhythm, the way you’re changing the chords. And the chord progression is beautiful. Nice feel.

J: But I don’t know if it fits the mood of the song. You know, with these lyrics – it’s a very heartbreaking thing.

So here it is with the words in there – if I remember them. At first it was, “I go through each day,” but then I decided to do it “my day.” (Judy demonstrates by singing)

P: Very nice. That tempo stuff is all new – you’re thinking about it at the beginning. As you’re writing, you’re already planning these things.

J: I don’t know what the rest of the lyrics are because it hasn’t spoken to me. It’s so hard to write these lyrics. . .

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Peaches moved away over a year ago. I’ve missed her.

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JUDY & PEACHES LESSON #2

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Clicking the blue link below plays audio:

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Clip #2 – Judy & Peaches discuss “The Unknown”

J: I’m okay – just emotional. You know when we give birth to a song what happens.

P: Yes.

J: It’s so hard. Because when you’re emoting a song, it just literally pulls the words from the heart – it just tears out of your heart. I think I just finished my song this morning! I was coming here today; I had one more verse . . . But yesterday, I scrawled out words for the chorus and rearranged them.

And the hardest part was – what was the punch line? It’s interesting, because I had to look at all the rhymes and I think I found the last line that fit for me. It was, “I’ll face the unknown.” And it’s good; I think that might be my title. I’m not sure yet.

Setting myself free is being on my own. I was also thinking should my rhyme be to “face the unknown” or “go out on my own?” But I like that it’s ambiguous. It’s not like I have fear. It’s just unknown. And the unknown can be beautiful, it can be difficult – it’s just unknown.

P: That’s right.

J: The courage that it takes to face the unknown is what my song is about. That’s what I’ve decided.

It’s a song about being in so much misery that you’re willing to face the unknown!

And the thing is I’m trying to find rhymes that are different – because I did “feel me” and “heal me.” I’m using two words that have the same ending word with the rhyme being the word ahead of it. I did “near me” and “hear me.” And I did “alert you” and “hurt you.” But “begun to” and “stun you” don’t really work.

P: Those two don’t work together?

J: They’re not perfect rhymes. I actually got a better one. I was thinking, “How will you miss me? You never kiss me.”

P: Ooh!

J: Each line has to be heart-wrenching for me. And those weren’t heart-wrenching enough.

P: You weren’t digging deep enough?

J: No. And I liked this rhyme a lot, “There’s no connection, without affection.”

P: Ooh, that’s nice.

J: Then I thought what is the chorus going to be? So I decided – I’m getting away! But where am I going? I went with, “I run from you, don’t know where to.”

And this is a little bit too wordy; I’m going to have to find a way to shorten it: “The touch you withhold, caused my heart to grow cold.” That line has too many syllables.

P: You think so? I mean I haven’t heard how you fit it in.

J: I might get used to it. Then I go to, “That’s when I withdrew. I feel so alone, your heart is like stone.” That was a good image for me; I was thinking, is that the song title? “I lie awake, I feel my heart break. I’m ready to face the unknown.”

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P: Wow! You know, I haven’t heard it put that way in a song before!

Judy plays the guitar and begins singing, but bursts into tears.

J: I can’t do it! Oh, God . . .

P: You’re one of the sweetest people I know.

J: I’ll figure it out. It’s like that with every song.

P: That is amazing. You’re writing the songs – you’re living what you’re writing. Like some kind of a . . .

J: It’s a musical! My life is a musical! I swear – I’m living it.

P: You’ve always said that. And it just seems to get truer – I see it more and more.

J: I wrote it as a musical when I was young and then I had to stop. And now I’m releasing 30 years of feelings. But I didn’t know what I’d write when I started writing. I didn’t know I’d dig this deep. And the fact that I can express it – How can I share this with the world and not with the person I’m writing about? He wouldn’t have a clue.

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Tagged acoustic guitar, Aging Parents, composing, coping with divorce, courage to change your life, creativity, divorce after long marriage, divorce and separation, gray divorce, grief, GRIEF RELATED, guitar, guitar performance, honest lyrics, impending divorce, inspiration, loss, lyric development, lyric writing, lyrics, mother's illness, Music, navigating divorce after a long marriage, original songs, Painful lyrics, Peaches Chrenko, performing, Reasons for divorce, separation, singing, song leading to divorce, songwriting, the unknown, voice lessons, writing | 2 Comments

THERE WAS NOTHING LEFT

Posted on September 1, 2013 by Judy

This is the front door to my big and beautiful former home where I lived for 18 years. I never imagined that my “dream house” would become my nightmare. The repairs and upkeep led to misery for my husband, which affected me deeply. But I simply plodded onward because I had so many issues to deal with related to my children and parents. I lived with grief and retreated into Zombieland for twenty-five years.

Above are lyrics to my song “The Door,” which was written a few months after “The Unknown.” I have not shared this song on my blog yet, either.

Above are lyrics to my song “The Door,” which was written a few months after “The Unknown.” I have not yet shared this song on my blog, either.

Link to more stories about this song: THE UNKNOWN

Message I received from a friend after my last post:

Thank you so much, Judy, for sharing this post with me. I read it all with great interest.

You’re welcome. Do you think I am sharing too much personal information on my blog? I do hope to inspire other people with my honesty.

NO, I truly do NOT think you are sharing too much info. I’m sure you have lots of personal info that you are NOT sharing–as it should be.

I certainly do. So many people stay in a miserable situation based on fear of being alone. It is far lonelier to be with someone who doesn’t understand you. I am much, much happier now.

Love, Judy

Ps. Thank you for your feedback!!!

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I am sixteen and Sam is eighteen in this picture.

Below is a continuation of my discussion with Dr. Sam that started on the last post:

Sam, after 30 years, I do feel like I’ve given it my best shot. I’ve only known one man in my life and I think I’ve lived with him long enough to know if I want to spend the rest of my life with him. I can’t do it! I am actually terrified of the thought of being with anyone else. All I want is peace. That is what I have before he comes near me; I can’t see this being fixed. The stake in my heart started a long time ago.

Judy

Judy, I think that people are as we choose to view them…any of us who have been married a long time can come up with a long list of grievances, as well as a long list of positive attributes of our spouses…it’s up to us to decide what to focus on…all of us are so very different that it’s a wonder there are any long-term relationships! I’ve figured out that I can’t really change anyone other than me, so that is what I try to focus on.

One of my concerns is that every additional person that is exposed to the song, increases the chance that he will somehow find out about it…if you’re going to do this, then at least control the timing and do it your way…don’t let your emotions control the timing…Sam

Thanks for your message, Sam. I don’t think for either of us right now it would be financially viable for me to move out, but it would certainly be fairer for him to move forward with how he sees his future. We do live very separate lives and hardly speak.

I will not leave him in the lurch, because he depends on me to do so many things. For me, even if I have to financially struggle, I will do whatever is necessary in order to allow myself to be free. I can always get a secretarial job if I can’t support myself as an illustrator. I’ve devoted 30 years to him and you were right about how the only thing I can focus on is myself. That is what I’m doing.

Before that, it was my children. There is nothing he could possibly change that would allow me to want to grow old with him. Freedom for me is not to be with anyone else either. It’s to be free from constant criticism and requirements that everything in my house be “just so.”

Judy

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A video snap from my prom date with Sam in 1975 when I was 15 years old. Sam’s car is parked in the same spot where my car is now parked!

Judy, I still don’t think you want to have the dialog until you’re ready for it…you can never know how someone else is going to react, and the situation would be too volatile to predict…I wouldn’t leave this particular situation up to chance. But, I’m sorry that you feel this way…it must be really hard to process those feelings and decide to act on them…even after such a long time…not easy…Sam

Sam, it is hard. I am struggling. I feel like a different person; I never had these feelings before and it is very hard to manage with them. I use whatever tools I can. Humor helps.

I was never any good at break ups; you were my last one! I am probably the classic example of a mid-life crisis. And I do feel like I’m betraying my husband by not sharing with him how I feel. I need to find a gentle way to do that; is there such a thing? Together we can decide how things will play out. I mean, I could wait another few years to tell him, but is that fair?

It’s interesting how I’m giving up all financial security. I’d rather struggle because my needs are small; all of my pressure was to please him. Sam, thank you for your thoughtful and caring advice.

Judy

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Judy, I’m not sure what you are feeling guilty about…it doesn’t seem like things have changed that much in your relationship in ten years…if things don’t change much for another month, year, or ten years, then where is the deception? You have been faithful…who knows what he is even feeling about all of this?

There just doesn’t appear to be any reason to rush something that will greatly affect you, him and the kids. I still think you two should try some counseling…what is there to lose? At least you will know you did everything possible…and I think it would be very useful for both of you to understand how you got to this point in your relationship…understanding what happened might correct it, and will certainly help both of you from repeating similar behaviors in the future. Also important…lawyers: $400-$700 per hour, therapists $100-$200 per hour. I can refer a good one to you…Sam

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Sam, I feel guilty about expressing these feelings (which include repulsion, disdain, and worse). I truly don’t think he believes I would ever do this and if it happens after I find success, he’ll attribute it to “leaving him behind” after all the support he’s given me. It was a revelation when I realized I didn’t have wait for possible success. Probably my biggest worry is to give up medical insurance.

On the good list, he was very supportive of my art career, even though he was unsupportive emotionally. He’s not a bad person; just very unhappy. Even if my husband is not “affectionate,” he does go to work every day and I have a lot of freedom.

But as far as counseling goes, it would be helpful to understand how it got to this point. I think for me it’s a no-brainer, since I could never address my feelings because I was so busy advocating for my childrens’ needs and then my parents.

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This picture was taken before my wedding in June of 1981. Only my parents and a few people knew that I had already been married in secret six months earlier.

I wish I could have inspired people by having persevered in my marriage through so much adversity, but it’s just not possible for me to do that. How I choose to handle ending it is very important, and your wisdom is helpful for me. I don’t like feeling guilty, emotional or unsure. I think when feelings are stuffed for so long, when they erupt it is scary.

You’re right that I need additional resources to prevent my feelings from erupting. I have a lot of inner strength since I’ve begun writing, and I will tap into that to help me. My music continues to save me and I’m certain this will all be behind me one day. Either way, it’s hard being the “bad one” in this; I’m the one betraying my faithful husband. Writing a song like I did wasn’t very nice.

I never did sing “You’re Not The One” to you when we broke up!

And why am I writing to you about all this – isn’t that weird? I feel like you’re my doctor/shrink! Actually, everything you have said is very caring and since you’ve read so much of my blog, you know me better than my own husband in many ways.

Judy

Judy, I’m glad that you didn’t sing, “You’re not the One” thirty years ago…I definitely would not have felt better, and probably wouldn’t have helped with the lyrics! 🙂 Please don’t erupt…not useful or productive…if I could give you a dose of “Doctor” logic, I would….men are generally more logical, and women more emotional…but emotion may not serve you well here!…Sam

I believe the key to happiness is letting go of fear.

Thanks for your message, Doctor. I feel less emotional because of my song “The Unknown.” My song represented an emotional eruption and releasing it gave me clarity. The hardest part is that the timing for all this isn’t good right now – I know that. I actually dreamed last night that he came to me tearful after finding out. We talked and things were better for me after that, so much relief! Unfortunately, it was a dream.

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This morning I had another attack of colitis, which is something that plagues me under stress. Thanks for alleviating my guilt. It doesn’t matter for me that I haven’t cheated – I feel horrible knowing that I’m hurting him and turning his life upside down. But hopefully, we’ll both get through it!

Judy

Judy, sorry about the colitis…. not fun!

After reading your blog, and listening to your songs, it sounds to me like you were pretty much just in survival mode after Jason passed away, until maybe a year or two ago…you got through the day, raised your kids, took care of your parents, but probably had little ability to put much effort into your marital relationship…I mean, how could you? Where would the energy have come from? So it would have been easy to slip into any easy pattern that decreased your stress…if your relationship with him wasn’t great, so what?

It was probably too much energy to even deal with. And I would bet that over that long period of time that him kind of lost interest, as well…one person (and particularly a man) isn’t going to be able to carry on a relationship by themselves. So he too fell into an easy pattern…work, come home, deal with the kids a bit, and pay the bills. Dealing with your grief over many years may simply have been nearly impossible for him…and he had his own grief to deal with as well…probably without even a fraction of your insight…us guys just aren’t very good with this stuff anyway. So both of you fell away from the relationship…the horrible situation you both went through disrupted your lives far too much!

Yet, he continued to work and support his family, and stayed with you throughout! I bet that almost no one else would have done that over such a long period, and I find it admirable. Then, about a year ago, you came out of your cocoon, and radically changed (for the better)…and he had absolutely no idea what to do with that…it was probably puzzling, and frustrating, as well as strange to have to deal with a new person all of a sudden…how well do any of us react when the rules of the game suddenly change?

But, because of the support he has given you, and continues to give you, I really think you owe the guy a chance to get in counseling with you, and see if you can re-figure each other out. As far as I know, there has been no cheating, no physical abuse, or anything else that could totally prevent reconciliation. And I just don’t see what you have to lose?? You have three kids together, that remain a challenge (as all kids are), and they are better off having their parents together as a team, than seeing them fight each other through a divorce, and then having to deal with separate homes, visitation, etc., etc., and all the other nasty stuff that happens.

In my practice, I have a plethora of women in their 50’s and 60’s who have never remarried after their divorce, nor have they had any sort of suitable relationship in years. Guys our age go after much younger women (unfortunate, but true). You are going to end up having to support yourself in some fashion, and it can be a struggle. I root for the success of your book, but I have a noted author in my practice, whose last book got into Amazon’s top twenty (quite an achievement)…I don’t think she has cleared 100K out of it…there just isn’t so much money in writing and publishing.

You are financially way better off staying together if at all possible. I would bet that he doesn’t want to lose you and his family either, and would work to keep the two of you together…but it’s not possible that he will figure out how to do this on his own.

Well, I have totally overstepped my bounds…had a long meeting tonight, and when I’m tired I let my guard down…sorry…and I certainly have only the understanding gained from what you have written and sung about…I could be miles and miles off…but I bet I’m not. I hope I haven’t angered you…too much, anyway…and that you will consider some of what I have to say…but I see a really, really big stick of dynamite in your path, and I am trying to push you out of the way!!…Sam

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Hi Sam,

I appreciate your honesty very much – it’s helpful for me.

All of what you wrote makes perfect sense – but only from the outside looking in. What you’re saying is absolutely true as far as my husband goes, and that is why this is especially hard for me. It sounds like he has been a great guy and consistent throughout. He has not cheated, and he goes to work. I have so much to lose – both financially and in the eyes of my children.

My husband is not forgiving. He has been cold to me for decades because one time I expressed doubt about our marriage working out twenty years ago. One reason why I haven’t wanted to go to counseling is that it didn’t help in the past and there is no repairing this for me. At best getting along would be a facade, not a loving relationship. I don’t care about being financially destitute or without another relationship. I really don’t. This might sound like a woman in her 50’s who simply “found herself” and is off gallivanting. But it’s not.

It’s about a girl who got married very young, stuck with it through thick and thin, and feels like she deserves more from life. There is no affection between us. He has never understood any of my feelings, and I cannot envision growing old with him. I can barely tolerate his company.

He is a very unhappy person. I think my true withdrawal became more pronounced as I became aware of how much of my energy it has taken for me to counter that. I know I could stay with him for our children’s sake – but I deserve a better life. Even if I am poor!

I feel a lot of self-worth now and will find a way. I hope my book and my music does well. And if I don’t make any money, I’ll find another way to support myself. I welcome that challenge. It will be a new life for me. My biggest challenge now is that I need to wait awhile longer and hope that this doesn’t blow up in my face with all those sticks of dynamite I threw out as the revelation exploded from me.

Judy

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I run from you

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Judy, you’re right that no matter how much you share and I read, that I can only look from the outside, not the inside…I absolutely don’t minimize your perspective…you are living this day in and day out…if you can’t do it anymore, and feel that you have given it your best shot, then you do what you have to do…I’m just looking for any solution that won’t make your life harder (its been hard enough).

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I still would recommend not sharing this stuff…particularly with your family…otherwise this will blow up quicker than I think you would like, and interfere with the other complicated issues you are dealing with…hang in there!…Sam

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