Tiny Hands

There is music in every person. Sometimes it’s a love song, sometimes it’s a lament.

Sometimes I don’t know the words to the melody of my heart’s song which aches for my son, but it’s always there, beating away in my chest.

I am so blessed to have a thoughtful and musically talented friend. Candace is in a band with her twin sister Karli; they call themselves Drowning Ophelia. Candace and Karli played in the gallery during my latest exhibition in an evening of art and music.

It was in the second set they played: Candace was standing in front of a portrait of my husband which symbolized his grief after our loss. Then Candace surprised me. She told me and the crowd that she wrote a song for my family, a song for Zachary. Her lyrics moved me deeply and put words to my longing. I believe the lyrics will speak to every parent who has lost a child.

 

Tiny Hands

 

Verse 1:

Your tiny lips and your tiny nose

Little fingers and your toes

Precious child so little time

To hold you here by my side

 

Verse 2:

Every breath I watch you take

Every movement that you make

Memories etch in my mind

As the moments pass me by

 

Chorus:

For so long you grew inside of me

Now you’re here I can’t let you go

So much more for you to see

So much more for me to show

 

I’ll hold you close while I can

Give you kisses touch your hands

Little hands that will not reach for me

Your little hands that will not grow

 

Verse 3:

The empty crib in your room

The little cups and little spoons

Your first book and teddy bear

The little clothes you will not wear

 

Chorus:

For so long you grew inside of me

Now you’re here I can’t let you go

So much more for you to see

So much more for me to show

 

I’ll hold you close while I can

Give you kisses touch your hands

Little hands that will not reach for me

Your little hands that will not grow

 

Bridge:

As you fade I clutch you close

Everything I’ll miss the most

Please not now it’s much too soon

I need one minute more,

One minute more with you

One minute more

 

With your tiny lips and your tiny nose

Little fingers and your toes

Precious child so little time

To hold you here by my side

 

I’ll hold you close while I can

Give you kisses touch your hands

Little hands that will not reach for me

Your little hands that will not grow

 

Written by Candace Forget.  Performed by Drowning Ophelia. 

 

Thank you, Candace. I still cry every time I read Tiny Hands because it resonates so deeply. Thank you.

Visit Drowning Ophelia online