Every day, worries grow

it’s a challenge, when I’m feeling so low

Emptiness, my despair

all this sorrow is more than I can bear

Lift me up, give me hope

I’m reaching for you

Take my hand, hold me close

Help me make it through

Overwhelmed, feeling stressed

Even though, I know that I am blessed

You’re my light, to lead the way

I close my eyes; softly I pray

I really miss you, though I grieve

Despite your absence, I still believe

You’re in my heart – you’re always there

I hear your voice, answering my prayer

I’ll lift you up – I am your hope, I’m here for you

Take my hand, hold me close

You’ll make it through; you’ll make it through

You’ll make it through

My injured pinky is the one on the right. The laceration is hardly noticeable, but it will probably always be a plumper pinky.

It has been almost six months since I fell and dislocated my right pinky. My finger may never feel “normal” again, however I see my healing as remarkable. My pinky does not limit me in any way. The first hand surgeon told me I would be “forever limited.”

I was elated that I could play my guitar a few days after my fall (off an electric scooter). Even with a splint on, I was able to use my other fingers to play. I called my pinky “my hero,” because it took the fall and spared my other fingers. My injuries could have been devastating.

Currently, I am back on the tennis court and playing well. I have completed several new mazes and paintings.

My two newest paintings.

I began composing “Take My Hand” during the pandemic. It didn’t move me, and I put it aside.

But during the time I was recovering from my fall, I found myself fiddling with that unfinished song. I hadn’t looked at the chords for at least two years.

On that day, I was in a lot of pain. I had hurt a lot of other body parts besides my pinky and hoped I could somehow get through this ordeal quickly. I clutched my guitar and prayed.

And then something miraculous happened.

It was as if someone took my hands – I began to play a new part for my song. The new chords were incredibly beautiful and I played them over and over.

I realized that my song had expanded in a wonderful new direction. The new lyric line that grabbed me the most was “I hear your voice answering my prayer!”

Songwriting has always been incredibly spiritual for me. My prayers were answered!

These lyrics were written over two years ago.

I had many title ideas for my newest song. But the lyrics “take my hand” really called out to me. This title was a perfect way to honor the comfort my song gave me when my hand was throbbing in pain. Maybe what I meant to say was, “Don’t grab my hand too tightly – just heal it for me!”

“Take My Hand” was my first new song in seven years. I contacted my piano arranger, Devin, and he added instrumentation to my guitar tracks. Devin also recorded a solo piano version.

The arrangement for “Take My Hand” had me swooning. I would never tire of listening to it.

A medley of those versions can be heard on Insight Timer by clicking the image below.

“Take My Hand” is definitely a song of healing and hope. I believe that reaching out is courageous. It represents a willingness to trust the person we connect with.

What is truly profound is the contrast. We can reach out to seek comfort and we can reach out to offer comfort. We can reach out to follow (show me the way) and we can reach out to lead (follow me).

Now I’d like to share the many ways I relate to my song:

         Take my hand embodies reaching out for a physical connection.

During the Pandemic, I missed hugs and longed to be held.

          Take my hand represents reaching out to comfort anyone suffering with grief.

Lyrics related to “taking my hand” are in several of my songs. In my song “Hang On” I say these words:

“You have no hope, is this the end? Just take my hand – I’ll be your friend.”

My life’s mission has been to comfort and give hope to anyone grieving. I’ve kept my son’s memory alive this way. Jason lives on through my words and music.

In my song “Angel in the Sky” I express how I will see him again with these words:

“And when I die, you’ll take my hand. My lovely light, just not in sight.”

         Take my hand symbolizes being open.

I am open to helping people I’ve never met and when I am able to comfort them, I feel blessed. I love making new connections and have recently developed some beautiful new friendships because of this.

The flip side is that I am willing to be pulled in new directions. Next month, I am taking an ocean swim with a former classmate I haven’t seen in over 40 years. I am excited about my bravery. The water will be very cold!

         Take my hand epitomizes friendship.

When I was 19, I wrote my song “Never Gone Away” for a dear friend leaving on an extended trip. I expressed my appreciation for her with the lyrics:

“Whenever I was down, your hand was the one holding mine.”

Recently, this same friend told me how grateful she was that I was able to metaphorically take her hand during the difficult period when her mother was dying.

We both continue to support each other, by reaching out and being there during our 40+year friendship.

         Take my hand guided me spiritually.

I allowed myself to express vulnerability by praying. I am so grateful that I made it through the Pandemic. Recovering from my nasty fall became the catalyst for me to finish my song. I am completely in awe of the comfort it has brought me. It was truly a gift from God.