In 1995 our family lived in a co-op housing complex in North Vancouver. We lived in one of about 60 condos that were built by the Lions Club. Our kids had a ball in those years, constantly surrounded by so many friends to play with just outside our doors. In the years we were at Bowron Court we were young families and shared each other’s lives by the close proximity that we co-existed. We probably knew more about each other than necessary but that’s how it goes.
A few units down from us lived a single mother with two children. She had a daughter age 10 and a son age 12. Our children often played with them. One afternoon the mother’s ex-husband came home for his daughter’s birthday and proceeded to attack
the two children with an axe. Her daughter was murdered and the son was eventually reduced to a wheelchair for life.
During the period after this event there were candlelight vigils and other grieving sessions for the family, neighbors and friends. I thought it would be nice to write a song for the family to help them try to make sense of their shattered world. I recorded the song and gave them 15 copies of the lyrics with a cassette of the song:
We Just Want You to Know We’ll Be Here
There are times throughout this life of ours
When we feel we are standing alone
The chips they fall for no reason at all
And we’re left in the dark on our own
Now you’re going to grieve and you have to believe
That there’s one more thing you can do
Just look around and hear the sound
There’s love and it’s calling to you
CHORUS:
Anyone can help a heart fly higher
Anyone can help a soul to heal
Anytime you need someone
To guide you through the night,
We just want you to know we’ll be here
There’s a friend just around the corner
Caring friends from across this land
United together to lend a hand
We just want you to know we’ll be here
Sometimes it takes trouble to bring us together
From the heroes and villains alike
Sometimes we forget all that matters
Is the love we all share in our hearts
You know you are missed and we’re going to try
To get you back home once again
Just look around there’s a lot to be found
There’s love and it’s calling to you
CHORUS
BRIDGE:
When all you see is tragedy
You’re left out on your own
You can’t see past the doors
That lie in front of you
We can help you make the steps
To get you back on the road
Just give us this chance
To lend a helping hand
CHORUS
Years later I was doing a concert on Saltspring Island and I happened to run into our friend from up the street. She immediately asked if I would go with her to see her son. They now lived in a school bus that had been converted into a very nice living space, sparse but comfortable.
When I was reintroduced to her son as the man that wrote the song, he burst into tears and gave me the warmest handshake I think I’ve ever had. I don’t think he remembered me so much as he remembered the song and I believe it was a bittersweet flashback for him to a terrible time when he was surrounded with love and understanding. I assume few people were told of how his life had gone after the incident. After he had spent a long time in the hospital, mother and son had chosen to move to a smaller town where they would be left alone by the press and would not be recognized.
We talked for a quite a while, carefully avoiding any sensitive topics. We talked about his interests and dreams. Just like any other teenager his age he liked high school and was learning how to program computers.
I had to leave and prepare for the evening’s performance. We said our goodbyes and on the way back his mother told me how much the song had helped him get through it all.
Every once in a while you may be lucky enough to receive a small glimpse of the
positive good that can result from an act of kindness we may have done. This
experience made me realize that you can do wonders if you give unconditionally.
If we can creatively find ways to help make changes for the good, I’m pretty
sure that one’s good will continues to sprout long after you have forgotten what
you did.
A single candle can lighten the darkness.
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