Tag Archives: lyric writing

WE’LL BOTH BE ALRIGHT

Posted on May 25, 2012 by Judy

Yesterday, I wrote: “You know you are a songwriter when you write a song while your father is dying.” That is true. I am in the process of composing the chorus for a new song, which already has two verses. This happens in my mind, no matter what I am doing. Today, I can write: “You know you are a writer when you feel the urge to write about the experience of your father’s death while it is still fresh in your mind.” That is also true. I can close my eyes and be at his deathbed in a fraction of a second. It has only been a few hours since he took his last breath and I am writing because more than anything else it comforts me. Why is writing so comforting? It is because I am hopeful that by sharing my experience I can touch other people and be inspirational. I feel like there is a light shining all around me. It lights up what once used to be darkness. Continue reading →

Tagged "sandwich generation", acoustic guitar, Aging Parents, Caregiving, composing, death, death of a parent, deathbed, father's death, father's illness, grief, GRIEF RELATED, guitar, inspiration, last breath, loss, lovesong, lyric development, lyric writing, lyrics, Music, original songs, singing | 3 Comments

I NEED TO SET YOU FREE

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Judy

So often my father had wept to me about how he looked forward to seeing Jason in heaven. With that thought, I began coaching him. Firmly and gently I said, “Dad, please do this. You can leave the prison of your body. You are not alone. Jason is waiting for you. You can give me a sign and a beautiful gift if you would just let yourself go. I watched as his breathing slowed; I held my breath. But he continued rattling. Over and over, I continued to beg him to go. I wished I could put a pillow over his face. Why was it like this? Why couldn’t he have died in his sleep on Monday morning? I left him with my heart pounding in that funny rhythm. I knew my heart would be calm when his stopped. Of that I was certain. Continue reading →

Tagged "sandwich generation", acoustic guitar, Aging Parents, Caregiving, composing, dad's death, death, death of my dad, dementia, father's death, grief, GRIEF RELATED, guitar, Hypnotherapy, I long for you to hold me, I need to set you free, inspiration, Judy Unger, loss, loss of a father, loss of a parent, lovesong, lyric development, lyric writing, lyrics, mother's illness, Music, original songs, performing, Set you free, setting free, singing, songwriting, You're hanging on | 8 Comments

RETREAT – PART 2

Posted on May 19, 2012 by Judy

I grappled with the song title after recording this new arrangement of my song. My arranger, George, told me he definitely preferred the title of “only In my mind.” However, after getting some advice from friends, I found clarity. I am a positive thinker and my song is less about loneliness, than it is about retreating into serenity and peacefulness. I do consider my music to be a wonderful companion that has blessed my life. I’ve wondered if my recent symptoms were “only in my mind.” As I await test results, I am definitely working on controlling my thoughts. Continue reading →

Tagged acoustic guitar, composing, creativity, guitar, Humor, inspiration, inspirational, Judy Unger, lyric development, lyric writing, lyrics, Music, Ordinary Life, original songs, positive thinking, singing, songwriting | 2 Comments

SHE FOUND HER INSIGHT

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Judy

I could write pages and pages of my memories from beach outings with my mother. Throughout the day, I felt so much nostalgia remembering those times in my life. My mother was relaxed and sang blessings in Hebrew as we walked near the marina. Despite her advanced dementia, she appreciated the outing more than I anticipated. As I drove home, she slid down in her seat, and the seatbelt was barely holding her in. We arrived back at her nursing home. Just before taking her out of my car, I reached over to kiss her. I could see she was very tired; she had hardly rested as I drove home. I believe she didn’t want to miss a moment of time sitting next to me. As I kissed her, she said softly, “Thank you.” I wanted to be sure I heard her. So I said, “Mom, what are you thanking me for?” She answered clearly, “I had a wonderful time. Thank you.” Those were the clearest words she had spoken all day, and were exactly what I needed to hear. The beams of light that shone from my body could have illuminated a city at that moment. Continue reading →