about
The evening of August 26th, 2023 my wife and I made the two hour drive home from Seattle Childrens Hospital with our 5 year old son who had just been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Two things came to me during that drive.
First, I realized it was the shortest and most terrifying 2 hour drive of my life. I almost didn't want to get home, because I knew that the second we crossed the threshold with that bagful of medical supplies (which was just the "starter pack"), this new reality would seem so much more real. It wasn't something we could leave at the hospital and resume our lives where we left off.
Second, a song started to form in my head that embodied just some of the emotions of those past two days. This is that song. It was hard to write and record, but also therapeutic in a sense. I hope that someone, somewhere out there may come across this song and feel a connection.
It's been a few months since that night - we are all adjusting and things are going well, all things considered. That feeling of suffocating helplessness has not completely left, and I'm not sure it ever will, but it's getting easier to keep it in check. Ultimately, we have no choice but to adapt and do everything we can to help our son live the best, fullest life he can. And that's exactly what I intend to do.
lyrics
Some days I don't feel too strong
Thanks for being a little bit stronger
And all of this feels so wrong
Can't we stay behind just a little bit longer
I'm sorry for all you're going through
And I'm sorry for what I have to do
But I'm promising to you
I'm gonna do everything I can
So close your eyes and count to five
Wish I could tell you that it's almost over
This doesn't feel like real life
Maybe I'll wake up when we hit October
Just want to tell you that everything's alright
Hoping soon we'll be able to sleep all night
But for now all we can do
Is take it one day at a time
If I could take it away from you
If you could put it on my shoulders
I'd sail across the ocean blue
I'd move the mountains, I would shake the boulders
And it's not fair
And it's not right
But it's the best that I can do
I can't take it away from you
But you can put a little bit on my shoulders
Now it feels like we've come so far
But the road is never-ending
And I wonder if you'll ever know
How it was in the beginning
Soon you'll be walking out the door
And you might not need me anymore
But my promise is always yours
I'm gonna be here when you call
If I could take it away from you
If you could put it on my shoulders
I'd sail across the ocean blue
I'd wipe it clean, I'd cancel all the orders
And it's not fair
And it's not right
But it's the best that I can do
I can't take it away from you
But you can put a little bit on my shoulders
If I could take it away from you
If you could put it on my shoulders
I'd sail across the ocean blue
I'd walk through Hell, I'd cross every border
And it's not fair
And it's not right
But it's the best that I can do
I can't take it away from you
But you can put a little bit on my shoulders
credits
released November 10, 2023
Written, recorded and produced by Paul Latham
license
all rights reserved
