Tears in Heaven

One of my favorite songs from 1992 is Tears in Heaven, written by Eric Clapton and Will Jennings, and recorded by Eric Clapton. It is a bittersweet, melancholy song that was written in honor of his four year old son Conor who tragically fell to his death from a New York City apartment building.

It’s funny, but while I seemed to cry easily as a child, adolescent, and young adult, age has made it more difficult to cry. They say that crying is a good thing, because it can release negative emotions and can therefore, be very cathartic. I used to cry with anger, and I hated that, because I wanted to appear tough and able to handle anything. Now, I cry from sadness or saccharine stories. Oh yes, I cry from happy things as well.

My Person with Parkinson’s was always one who avoided crying, probably because he wanted to appear tough as well. However, lately he has begun to cry more easily. Is it Parkinson’s? Is it his PD medications? Perhaps it is a combination of both. While talking about his dad, or friends who have passed away, the tears will begin to flow. Obviously, grieving for lost loved ones is natural for all of us. But, death is not the only thing that can cause people to grieve. For George, I think it is more likely that he is experiencing grief over loss of his former abilities. The grief is real, not only for people with Parkinson’s, but also for their caregivers. George’s sadness does make me sad too. Is sadness contagious? I prefer to think I have empathy with him. So, when he cries, my tears now come more easily.

Walking is a struggle, eating is difficult, and many of the activities that you and I take for granted are virtually impossible. Yet, we continue to strive to accentuate the positive. In meeting with our Parkinson’s Support Group, I have learned that the most successful of those fighting the PD battle do the same. Living one day at a time, learning to adjust to our changing state of normal, is essential.

Here are the lyrics of Tears in Heaven:

Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven?
Would it be the same
If I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong and carry on
‘Cause I know I don’t belong here in heaven

Would you hold my hand
If I saw you in heaven?
Would you help me stand
If I saw you in heaven?
I’ll find my way through night and day
‘Cause I know I just can’t stay here in heaven

Time can bring you down, time can bend your knees
Time can break your heart, have you begging please, begging please

Beyond the door there’s peace I’m sure
And I know there’ll be no more tears in heaven

Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven?
Would it be the same
If I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong and carry on
‘Cause I know I don’t belong here in heaven

My Faith assures me that there will be a day when there will be no more tears. Thanks be to God.