I’d love to share a song with you that I’ve been saving for today – Valentine’s Day.
When this song was first sent to me, it was hard for me to listen to it; in fact, it took me almost seven months before I could.
It was written on the night of my husband, Patrick’s, memorial by a talented friend of ours, Donnie Demers. Donnie told me he went home afterwards, and the song poured out of him within minutes. He has always considered that this piece was co-written (with Patrick). This song is so beautiful, and I am humbled and pleased that Donnie tells me that I am the inspiration for it. When I finally did listen to it, I was so moved, and as time has gone on, I’ve loved this song more, and more, and its message has grown stronger, and clearer, every time I hear it.
Everybody has someone who has touched his, or her, life in a meaningful way, be it a teacher, parent, a higher power, a friend, or that someone who lifted you up just because they loved you. And the road isn’t always smooth; it can be rocky, and challenging. But our love, and our connection to each other is empowering in a way that is indescribable. Isn’t that what Valentine’s Day is all about? Spreading the love to those that have lifted us up, and empowered us in this special way?
So, I’m sending this out as my Valentine.
And I hope, like the Paul McCartney lyric says – that the love I take, is equal to the love I make.
Thank you to Donnie, Suzie (who sang the song so beautifully), and of course…to my Patrick.
BECAUSE OF YOU
Written by: Donnie Demer. Sung by: Suzie Benson Rose
[audio:http://www.lisaniemiswayze.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Because-of-You-MP31.mp3|titles=Because of You]I won’t cry because it’s over
I will smile because it happened
And I’ll always know just what I have to do
When my life is met with sadness
In my heart I’ll find the laughter
That forever will be there because of you
Because of you
I am an open field of open doors and fences
A sunrise as it reaches for the sky
Because of you I know the me I am without the false pretenses
Because of you I have these wings for me to fly
As I watch the world around me
In every frame you will be there
You will be the wind that dances in the night
All these tears for you I’m crying
Not from sadness but from joy
Because of you I know that I will be all right
Because of you
I am an open field of open doors and fences
A sunrise as it reaches for the sky
Because of you I know the me I am without the false pretenses
Because of you I have these wings for me to fly
Because of you
I am an open field of open doors and fences
A sunrise as it reaches for the sky
Because of you I know the me I am without the false pretenses
Because of you I have these wings for me to fly
I just know I’ll be all right because of you
Lisa, thank you so much for sharing this. It is absolutely beautiful! Made me cry. I hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day! I know your angel Valentine is with you today and every day. By the way, I LOVE that picture of you and him!
As always, much love and hugs! XX
Dear Lisa, i hope you’re doing all right, after passing all those terrible things. i felt so sorry for you. i have red your last book – and i know exactly hat you’ve been through – i have experienced the same things. my husband died 2005 of cancer – he had a liposarkom. befor he died the Tumor had a weight of nearly 12 kg and He has broken through the abdominal wall. so the last days i had To look in the eye of the Tumor – i called him the beast., because this thing became so big and my husband was eaten by it… i know you’ll probably have seen similar. i know how hard the walk through the valley of grief is. i whish you that you’re feeling better even i know there will never be the same. i do have known my husband for 30 years – we grew up together. so i know and i feel the same…. i would like to thank you for sharing all that with us – thank you for given us widows a voice….and thank you for sharing youre feelings with us and that you had the courage to tell your story! i know how hard it is and that for what you have gone through there are no words, that could discribe all the feelings and all you have seen. but ohne thing i can tell you… we both know what love is. and we both know how strong we are by this love – love means to serve with all the hole heart and you did ……and love means letting go …. and that is the hardest lesson of all.
i wish you that the angels protect you – an angel accompanies and protects you in any case – Patrick
for youre future i with you strength, hope, healing, light and above all LOVE
Love Tanja Form germany (i hope my english is not too bad:-)) )
Thank you for sharing this. The lyrics put tears in my eyes, especially on this first Valentine´s Day without my love.
I was told when I first lost my husband that a day would come when the memories of him would make me smile instead of cry. And I’ve found that to be true. Just last month I thought of something funny he did, and it made me laugh out loud with pleasure. And it’s funny…as I’m able to heal more, and enjoy some of the memories, I feel closer to him than ever. Still have bad days, but…it’s different. XL
It´s so hard to believe the good memories will make you smile one I´m optimistic hearing that that day came to you too. At the moment I can only push them away as thegood memories hurt even more than the memory of the day of his unexpected death.
Seeing how strong you are gives others strength too. Keep going xoxo
I’m glad to read that you are now smiling thinking of Patrick <3
This is a wonderful song, so wonderful like the world we live in.
And you know music tells a story different. Music reaches people's heart and soul. Pure and genuine.
Music make us immortel!!!!! Music expresses which can not be said and even which is impossible to remain silent.
How grey and sad would our life be without music???
Lisa,
I just finished your new book, Worth fighting for…….the last chapter was difficult for me to read……as my husband died 4 months after Patrick, from lung cancer, he was 67……..You put my feelings into words, I could identify with the entire book, thank you for taking the time, strength and courage to write it. I too, also have my bad days still, and probably always will. I loved my husband so much, we were married 42 years, I miss him terribly!
Hi Lisa,
the things you make after your husband’s death are beautiful. You are the strongest person i’ve ever met.
I red ” The time of my life ” thousands of time; i went in New York to buy it as in Italy was not out yet.
And now i will order a copy of your new book, because you really inspired me.
I’m only 23 and i’m engaged since 2005 when i was 15 and he was 18. He is my twin soul i cannot think one day to loose him.
I cannot immagine a life without him, i ll never leave him , i know that we will stay together for ever.
On December my father had an heartattack and was unbelivable the pain my mom and i we suffered. Fortunately my dad is alive but i can completely undersatnd your feelings now that your twin soul is gone.
Rest in Peace Patrick.
Be strong Lisa.
Oh Lisa,what an absolutley beautiful song! I am sat here in tears. You are so blessed to have such wonderful,caring friends surrounding you.
Thank you for sharing such a personal song. You truly are an inspiration to us all,so dignified and determined to keep Patricks memory alive,and we thank you wholeheartedly for that.
I send lots of love to you xxxxx
Lisa,
Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful song. I hope that your Valentines Day will be a good one with beautiful and wonderful memories of the times with Patrick. Your blogs are truely an inspiration for me and your positive attitude and kind words and reflections help me to know that everyone who has lost a loved one who has passed, is experiencing the same up and downs and that we are not alone in our journey. We will always carry them in our heart and to celebrate their lives and the times we shared is our way of showing them on the other side how they have helped us to become stronger for having loved them. The price we pay for loving them is our tears and not the stoppage of our lives.
Happy Valentines Day Lisa!
Well said, Rudi. Thanks.
Such beautiful lyrics, the first verse especially pulls on my heart strings – Happy valentines Lisa x
This song is just beautiful!
I heard this song and I cried. All I thought of is Patrick. The day he passed. I cried for a couple of hours.
I miss him and the most favorite movie of his is Dirty Dancing.
I’m glad that I found you on FaceBook. Please keep in touch. I also have the book that the both
of you wrote together. You 2 were the strongest couple that I knew.
One of Patricks fans,
Brenda Trimback
My friend Stephen had made me listen, I found her beautiful. In fact it was a video on youtube here is the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1Eg4noAJwU and it was himself who understood it. Thank you for sharing and take care of you.
That was unbelievably moving!! I can understand why it was a long time before you could listen to it fully.
this was a awsome song. Thank You for shareing this beautiful tribute to love.
Thank you, Patsy!
I’m speechless…beautiful, Lisa! Such an incredible love story…sending you tons of ((((HUGS)))). Happy Valentine’s Day, sweetie!
That song is BEAUTIFUL!
After reading both your books and hearing the words to the song, it truly makes sense! What an amazing gift. I can see why it would have been hard for you to listen to at first. What a treasure though! I would agree… he probably had a co-writer. 😉
Thanks for sharing!
I really like this song. I discovered it on Youtube. It was played by Jimmie and Donnie Demers. Jimmie made a speech very vibrant about Patrick and you. The song is really beautiful. I was moved to tears as much by the speech than by the song.
The song is beautiful and is one that I will share with my husband tonight when we both are together. Not only are the lyrics beautiful, but also the vocals and the music…a very, very lovely, touching song.
Wow what a powerful beautiful song, I lost my darling husband to Bowel Cancer in 2004 and not a day goes by where I dont think of him and still miss him, but yep just like the song I know because of the love we shared and the strength he gave me through that love I know I’ll be OK and I will continue to help our darling children (who were just 4,5,18yrs when we lost him) achieve their goals just as he would have wanted.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful ballad – please release it to the wider audience, I feel sure it will be so well received xx
Oh, wow, Lisa, that song is incredible…..I needed to hear that on this very hard Valentine’s Day. Today is one of the tough days to try to get through. I went to Jack’s grave this morning and put a red rose and a pink rose (for me) on his grave. I then came and read all of the cards he had given me since Day 1 (1977) and all of the beautiful valentine cards…..brought me so much comfort. When Jack died, I took all of the cards I had given him over the years, tied them with a beautiful ribbon and put them next to him before the casket was shut with a picture of us next to his heart. I want the same done for me – all of his beautiful cards to me are to go with me.
Again, the song is amazing…..Much love to you……Barbara
LUV THIS! Though I bawled my eyes out listening. It is awesome. Thanks for sharing. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Hah! I had a good cry myself this morning. XL
They are healing tears Lisa let them flow, hun.
I saw the link earlier in the week but couldn’t bring myself to listen until last night.
To me its like Patrick is thanking you for being his Angel through good and bad.
After all it did co-write it, right??
Thank you for posting this today Lisa, what a beautiful song :0). I have had to learn to be strong whilst feeling so weak since my soul was torn out when I lost my husband to PC in May 2010. It is times like today that send me plummeting and all I want is to run and hide from the world that took him from me but then I pick myself up, brush myself off and tell myself that I was blessed to have had him in my life and I can survive. God bless. Laura
I know what you’re talking about. So many times I’ve just wanted run and hide, too. And “survival” seems to the word-of-the-day often for me. But I love what you said about being blessed… It can take courage, and vulnerability, to be grateful. You sound very loving, and brave.
Dear Lisa,
Thank you so much for this special Valentine’s Day entry- the song is really beautiful!
I also very much liked the photo of you and Patrick!
Be assured that you lift up your readers with the stories that you share, in a way you are our “sunrise as it reaches for the sky”. I am quite convinced you must have a heart of gold!
Feel hugged by
Annette.
Thank you so much, Annette. I so appreciate your comment. Thanks for sharing that with me.
Hi Lisa
Thank you for sharing this beautiful song it’s just so full of love and emotion how wonderful.
I really felt the words are so touching and the singer she is great she sang it so lovely, what a voice it is such a song that gives you images of haunting love, it is just perfect for today.
Hope your heart isnt feeling too sad today Lisa, just remember the love and smiles that you will treasure in your heart forever and you will feel your special feelings they are deep within you and you never loose them.
I just loved this song Thank you again Lisa God bless and take care love Julie xx
Hello Lisa,
Thank you for this beautiful Song 🙂 The song says so much about love from those never ends between humans who one loves.
Happy Valentine Day.
Love and Light
yours
Simone
wow what a great song very lovely thank you for sharing it very kind of you 🙂 have a happy valentine day 2 you i hope you have a great day
Dear Lisa, Beautiful song, have a nice Valentines day. Lot af hugs from Holland
Wow, what a beautiful song!! Yes he definitely had a co-writer over his shoulder. I hope this day is not too hard on you but I am sure it is. Hopefully each day is getting better!! You were so lucky to have had such a wonderful love in your life. You have some awesome memories of a man who loved you more than life itself. This shows on the expression in your faces in the pictures. Treasure your memories until you reunite one day. You are doing an awesome job in helping others in this world on learning how to cope with loss. Thank you!!
<3, Thank you, Lisa…so much, for sharing this and yes, difficult…yet beautiful song to hear & feel. I send you my <3 & a :). -Thank you to Donnie Demer, for writing a poignant lyric; thanks to Suzie Benson Rose for that gorgeous vocal. ~Thank YOU again, Lisa…for sharing this out. ~with ((hugs))…. ~an angel in your pocket…along with many kind & loving hearts surrounding you…..
Donnie & Suzie are such beautiful and awesome people. It shows in the heart they put into their music.
What a perfect song to describe true love. Thanks so much for sharing it. Happy Valentine’s Day
Ingrid
All I can say is wow and double wow. Thank you for sharing your wonderful song.
Lorna.xx
Dear Lisa,
This song is so touching and beautiful that made me cry…..Thank you for sharing it.
It´s like the love between you and Patrick, so real and huge.
You know i am a fan of you and Patrick since i was a girl and both of you were an example to me to of love and devotion .It means so much to me to see a love you shared with your husband.
i am a person with a paralysis cerebral , i am disabled since i was born and you and Patrick gave me a lot of joy and enriched with many nice moments. I have almost all of movies of Patrick and i love it so much
, so much especialy North a South, One last dance, City of joy and Steel dawn and Ghost.
I know life isn´t easy, sometimes is a very hard journey but don´t give up and continnue with your work.I am sure Patrick is very proud of you and watching you from heaven….
I tell you that i cried a lot for you and for him when he died i still crying.
I am so sorry for your loss ,Lisa I can see that your a wonderful person with a good heart.
i read twice Time of my life and i am reading now your book Worth figthing for and it ´s so heartbreaking but at same way touching. …
I hope you had a happy Valentine,
God bless to you and to all Patrick´s family.I always think of you
P.S. I love the photo you post of you and Patrick.It´´ś so gorgeous and fantastic!
Take care,
Dear Lisa
What a beautiful and heart-touching song! I love the thought, that it was written by Patrick and in my mind I can hear him singing it for you. Patrick was – and still is – such an inspiration to me, his endless power and will, his courage, his “never giving up” and don’t take a “no” as an answer, inspires me so much! I changed many things in my life since I read his book, I did things, I only dreamed of before, things I thought I could never realize. It’s like a part of his power and determination spread over to me. For example, I started to dance ballet 9 months ago – at the age of 34 (!). It’s funny how people react, when I tell them, there is almost ever a “YOU are dancing ballet? Aren’t you much too old for this?” My ballet-teacher told me that I’m not, and here I am 😉 I have a huge fun to dance ballet and I got more self assurance, since I started.
Lisa, I’m so happy that I have the possibility to learn more about you, about the person you are and I just can say wow! what a wonderful and special Lady! I can understand very well, why Patrick loves you so much (I intentionally write “loveS”…). Thank you for your inspirations and your personal thoughts you are sharing with us!
Sending you a loving hug, the day after Valentine’s
Nicole
danke. ein schönes valentinsgeschenk.
herrzliche grüße aus deutschland/ berlin, in gedanken oft dir/euch
alles liebe nadine
Thank you dear Lisa.
I hope you had a beautiful and peaceful Valentine’s Day.
The song is so wonderful, and so lovely, and the pics are beautiful, especially the one with Patrick and you.
Thanks for everything you share with us.
Ah. Your book has finally arrived to me. I’m so happy!! 🙂
A big hug;
with Love.
Nadia.
Lisa,
Thank you for sharing this beautiful song. It seems that you and Patrick had and still have a love that will never, ever end and death cannot take that away. I have read and enjoyed your books and have cried my eyes out. Patrick would be so proud of your strength and perservance. He is blessed to have you as his love.
Hugs and love to you,
Christina
Dear Lisa,
thank you for sharing this personal song with us! It is very touching and I also want to give you something:
I´m working in a playschool as kindergarten teacher (there is no translation for kindergarten?! I hope you understand anyway….. you will 🙂 ) and my children say to wish somebody well: “I wish that a lot of flowers in your garden grow and the sun always shines for you!” This is the most beautiful and cutest wish I have ever heard before and so I wish that for you with the small change that I want for you new trees sprouting too!
I´m looking forward for your upcoming blogs! It is very lovely to have a little connection to you – you are so noticeable, even though we have never met before. You really do a very good job – thank you so much!
From Tani with love
Dear Lisa,
Somewhere in the middle of nowhere in Holland, I am listening to your song. It’s such a beautiful song! A few days ago I found out that you have a blog . Now I am looking every day if there is something new to read. Thanks for sharing your life with us.
Veel liefs,
Caroline
just thank you and God Bless you Always
Thank you for sharing this wonderful gift with all of us. I feel like it is so fitting for many, but I see it in the life you are living today, doing all those things you’ve never done before and challenging yourself. I truly believe Patrick is right there by your side, encouraging you. We all miss him so much; sometimes I wonder how those who were actually part of his life every day manage to go on. I know it’s life, but even so, he was such a joy for us all. Thanks again for letting us hear this song that is so full of love and spirit.
Hi Lisa,
Wow, what a beautiful song it gave me goose bumps !! The words are so poignant and befitting,
a beautiful tribute to Patrick on a very special day. Thank you for sharing it with us. You certainly are a classy sensitive lady. I can see why Patrick loved and respected you. You should be very proud of yourself. You took a tragic soul shattering experience and turned it into a lovely tribute to your georgous husband, healing therapy for yourself and hope for others.
As I sit here and reflect on the fate of many in the Hollywood spotlight, You are an inspiration and a perfect example of a lady who has it all together. I wish you much love, happy and peacful moments and continued success with your book. Love your blog, the more I get to know you the more I regret not ever having met Patrick. I continue to send rainbows your way. Loved meeting you in NYC. Love n Light
Nadine
Hello Lisa,
Well I didn’t hear this incredible song until this evening. Better late than never! Thank you so much for who you are, who Patrick was and still is, thank you Donnie. This song tells the story of love inspired by love, never ending. It is so wonderful to be able to share with you. Lisa, you, like Patrick are such wonderful examples of how we should all love, and be loved. Hope you had a lovely Valentines Day and treated yourself to some fun! Take care, ttyl
Jules
My husband passed away from Stage IV lung cancer on January 23rd of this year. My daughter-in-law gave me your book and I just finished it yesterday. I laughed and I cried throughout the book, but most of all I could relate to everything you went through. Even when Patrick said “I don’t want to die” (just like Michael did) I lost it. In your chapter about after his death where everyone says how strong you are, is something I can relate to. I always wait to fall apart in the silene of my homes with my loving dogs at my side. You are an amazing woman (even though you say you aren’t :)) Thank you for being so open about your process and your grief. I could relate to it all!
Dear Lisa,
Thank you so much for sharing this song. It’s beautiful!
xx
Very touching song. Lisa, your writing reminds me that we all (even me) have wonderful work left to do in this world. You have such a gift for inspiring people. Thank you so much for using your gift!
AWESOME! I could even see Stevie Wonder (my first client) singing this one. Excellent! Geo.
Lisa,
Huge thank you s for sharing this beautiful + personal part of your life with Patrick… he has and always will inspire the love of dance worldwide plus all aspects of his extremely versatile acting career .. we will love + always remember him … Bless you Lisa for sharing him with the beautiful life he sooo deserved… we
know you were ‘soul mates’ and he was never ‘shy’ of showing his love for you… your + Patricks love of ballet and your movie “One Last Dance” says it all … both of you have been a HUGE inspiration to us all.. this absolutely beautiful song is sooo creative + beautifully written .. we know it’s touched you deeply… again, thank you..
Lisa,
Don’t know if you are reading later posts but just wanted to connect. I finished reading “Worth Fighting For” last night. Thank-you so much for writing the book. My husband was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on December 15 and is going in today for Whipple surgery. I am beyond numb. However your strength in dealing with this illness has given my strengh to get through today and what we may face in recovery and further treatment. Thanks for sharing as Partricks wife and caregiver you delt with this disease.
Gail
Fantastic song. Hope your valentines day went ok. I have this picture in my head now, of you sitting out with the dogs and watching the sunrise in the morning. A big smile on your face as you feel patricks warmth around as he hugs you.
I too love that picture of you both above, the perfect dancing pair. Makes me think back to when i was in my teens and the dream i had of meeting you both. Being able to spend time with you on the ranch and both of you teaching me to dance and then i turned it into a film. I used to make up all sorts in my head. Away with the fairies i should of wrote it into a little script really.
Thankyou so much for writing your blog.
Lisa,
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful song:) Thank you also for sharing you wonderful thoughts with us.
Pam
Thank you Lisa for sharing this beautiful gift with the world. I know Suzie Rose and love her singing this for you. Lovely really… Thank you
Lisa ,just found your song and WOW,just when you think you can’t cry any more over losing you soulmate,didn,t make it to the second line in the song.It is beautiful and made me miss my husband
so much ,but also know he is out of pain now.Thank You for sharing.
Julia
Beautiful song:) great picture
your love is timeless
I’m your big fan
thank you for everything
greetings form Polish
Anna
Hi Lisa – I’ve just seen your book in a local store and jumped to the back pages to read your words following Patrick’s untimely passing. I then came straight home and found your website and blog.
My own beautiful inspirational lady Carol passed away just after Christmas, following a brave two and a half year battle against Motor Neurone Disease (ALS).
Caring for Carol through her illness was the hardest thing I’ve ever done – but it will be 8 weeks tomorrow and trying to go on without her is even harder.
Thank you for your words – I’m working my way through this with our wonderful children beside me just one minute at a time.
This song is beautiful – I’m sitting here crying again – but crying is good right now.
I’ve left our blog address for you – just in case you would like to read about Carol’s journey.
My best to you,
Mike Gormley
Newquay
Cornwall
England
Dear Lisa,
Thank you again for sharing this special song. Its sad, but also very happy. It makes me happy to hear there is love like this. It gives hope.
I just hope to have a love as deep and that will last, like yours.
Patrick made the world a better place, not only because of his talents, and wisdom, but because of the love the two of you shared together. Am so happy for you two.
Jill
Dear Lisa
Thank you for sharing this..it is beautiful.
Like you I lost the love of my life on 10 Jan 2012 to a horrid cancer called Mesothelioma, we were told the average is 12-13 months..he lived 13 months and 2 weeks and ironically passed away on the anniversary of his first chemo..which made him very ill and did nothing to the tumour. I promised him his death would not be in vain..i will do my best to raise awareness of this “rare” cancer which is on the rise.
He told me he would give me a sign if it was possible…and he did..the morning he passed he ran his finger down my spine..i asked if it was him and he did it again..I cried, but they were more “happy” tears that he was not just gone completely…like you I feel his presence and he has come to me in dreams. He has visited family members and did little things relevant to them so they knew..usually something he did to annoy them while he was alive and made them smile…I have had few things happen that were unexplainable and cant just be co-incidence.
Hugs to you xx
Vickie from Australia
Wow! That’s so great you felt his finger run down your spine. I like feeling like Patrick is still near me. I find it very comforting.
Leisa, I love the song, like you my husband Paul passed away with pancreatic cancer, we were married for 20 years with 5 beautiful children, he was 57 when he died.He was diagnosed in sept. 2009 and passed away Dec, 2010. He fought so hard but we were so much in denial, thinking our love would get us through. We missed out on a lot of things together because we would not believe that he would die. Today, 2 years on I am still grieving so badly, but i know he guides me and makes me so strong for our children, we would not be the people they loved if we were not the people they made us. My love , thoughts and admiration go out to you, you are an inspiration. Annette
And my thoughts, love, and support go out to you. Hang in there.
Lisa,
I so enjoyed the song, it was beautiful! I have alot in common with you, losing my husband to cancer, and having the extra strength of SISU! I also gained strength from Al-Anon, my church, and my Bereavement Groups. Of course, my many friends, and family have been here for me. God has his reasons for taking our beloved husbands, I’m sure they are very busy in heaven………till we join them, we have our purpose still here on earth.
Yes, we have to think there’s a reason why we’re still here. So sorry for your loss. I know how hard it is. XL
only cry ,no words!!!!!
It made me cry. so beautiful <3
Love this song so beautiful perfect for you and Patrick!<3 🙂
What a love story<3
Hi Lisa,
I absolutely love this song. My husband is battling pancreatic cancer, He is 58 and we have been married for 35 years. I take great comfort from the words. You are an inspiration and give me and many others the strength to carry on and fight .
Can the song be purchased?
🙂 xx
As far as I know, it’s not available. Maybe at some point it will be. It’s possible that Donnie Demers (the composer of the song) has a website and may have some info. I agree, it’s an awesome song.