Grief can feel heavy, but sometimes the memories and music we hold onto light the way forward.
Grieving isn’t only about sorrow—it’s also about remembering the moments that made life bright. Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the good memories with my mom, and how revisiting them can feel both comforting and tender all at once.
Over the weekend, Rich and I watched the movie “Song Sung Blue”, the story of a couple who started a Neil Diamond cover band in the 1980s til the early 2000s and found themselves performing to sold-out crowds. It was released in theatres on Christmas Day, but with my mom palliative over the holidays, I just wasn’t in the headspace to see it then. Watching it at home gave me the space to sit quietly with my thoughts and let the music wash over me.
The film was heavier than I expected—way heavier—especially knowing it was based on a true story. It agitated a three day long flare up of my nervous system but it was worth it!! I had a good cry. I was moved by its portrayal of resilient love, joy, hardship, and sorrow. And beneath my tears, I felt gratitude for the memories it stirred in me.
One memory in particular surfaced: the first concert I ever attended. I was ten years old when my mom took me to see Neil Diamond. I remember feeling so grown-up sitting beside her. I remember the music swelling through the arena. And I vividly remember leaning over to ask her about the “funky smell” in the air—my very first (unknowing) introduction to marijuana. I’ve been a fan of Neil Diamond ever since. That night planted a love for music that has stayed with me all these years. His music brings me joy. It steadies me. Sometimes it even helps me access the tears I’m holding back. Truthfully, I often have a hard time listening to music since my illness began almost twelve years ago—it can feel too raw, too close to the surface. But when I need a good cry or a gentle release, music often becomes a doorway. A way to feel what needs to be felt.
Grief, I’m learning, isn’t only about what we lose—it’s also about what we carry forward. The songs, the laughter, the shared experiences—they live on in us. They shape who we are and how we move through the world.
When I look back at those moments with my mom, I see us laughing, learning, loving. And I’m reminded that grieving isn’t just about letting go; it’s about holding on—to the music, to the memories, to the love and light that never truly leave us.
Do you remember the first concert you went to?
#GriefAndHealing #MusicAndMemories #Remembering #NeilDiamond #ForeverInBlueJeans #release #firstconcert #mentalhealth #wellbeing
YouAreEnough 