From the recording For Penny
I wrote these words while sitting with Penny during a hospital stay before her Lung Transplant. She was really struggling to breathe on 10 ltrs of oxygen 24 hours a day. She was terribly scared of suffocating. Her Pulmonary Fibrosis took over our lives. If you know Penny, you know we made the most of those days. The Lung Transplant was supposed to give her some good years ahead. Sadly, that wasn't in the cards. In her heavenly home, she can breathe freely, she is spared from pain, and spared from the cancer death penalty she was dealt in the end. They gave her a few months and she stayed only month. She was adamant that she would never do Chemotherapy. She passed away in the early morning hours on the day she was to have her first treatment. I wish I could have taken her pain and that is what this song is about.
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
I see the fear in your eyes
the hushed pain in your words
But in this time, you’re still my light
the hope that my prayers are heard
[Pre-Chorus]
If the days are getting harder
If your strength begins to fade
Let me hold you next to me
Let me take away the pain
[Chorus]
Breathe for me, when the days feel long
Stay with me, till the next day comes
If your heart grows tired, hold onto mine
I’ll be here, I’ll be your lifeline
Breathe for me, just breathe for me
[Verse 2]
I clean the wounds and wash your hair
Count the memories we’ve made
Every laugh and every promise
I will never let them fade
[Pre-Chorus]
If the world is getting confusing
If you’re scared to let me go
Let my hope be your strength
Let my love be all you know
[Chorus]
Breathe for me, when the days feel long
Stay with me, till the next day comes
If your heart grows tired, hold onto mine
I’ll be here, I’ll be your lifeline
Breathe for me, just breathe for me
[Bridge]
If you’re not feeling tomorrow
If you’re drifting far from me
Know my love will always follow
We will always just be
[Chorus]
Breathe for me, when the days feel long
Stay with me, till the next day comes
If your heart grows tired, hold onto mine
I’ll be here, I’ll be your lifeline
Breathe for me, just breathe for me
[Outro]
Breathe for me, just breathe for me,
Let me Breathe for you, I'm here
I’ll love you for eternity