In loving memory of George Williamson, 1945-2021

After my father passed away in September, I had a couple of days where it felt like I had to just chin up and keep going through life and certain responsibilities. We got the call on a Saturday morning, and it wasn’t until Tuesday night that I could finally sit down at the piano to pour out my heart a bit without feeling like I had something else to prepare for or occupy my mind.

I played for a little bit, thinking of the song I had written for my father (which I was fortunate enough to share with him in July).

As I played, I considered what it must be like to respond to that invitation to “take My hand” — what it must be like after years of declining health for my Dad to suddenly find himself in a body not merely restored or healed, but upgraded into eternal glory.

I thought of the hallucinations that terrified him at times… the weakness and shaking in his limbs from Parkinson’s disease… the withered legs of the man who used to sprint down the street racing against my brother and me…

For the faithful, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord… and what a tremendous joy that must be.

I didn’t get to share this one with my Dad, obviously. I only got to imagine what it was like for him to open his eyes to wonders and splendor beyond our comprehension.

Maybe one day, he’ll tell me his side of the story. I can’t wait to hear how much better it was than what I pictured.

Maybe it won’t matter, because we’ll have better things to do.

Until then, Dad.

Eyes Open

You take His hand
And your grip is strong and firm again like His
Rise to your feet
And your legs feel like they’d outrun space and time
Open your eyes
To the wonders of the sights more real
Than any of this world you left behind

Awoken
To Heaven
Eyes open
True living

There’s no more pain
In a body uncorrupted by decay
No darkness remains
All the fearful visions scattered in the day
Trembling now
Only when you’re filled with wonder
At the majesty and glory on display

Awoken
To Heaven
Eyes open
True living
Arisen
In splendor
Eyes open
Forever

I can hardly imagine all the suffering you went through
I can’t understand what all the pain was like for you
But I take comfort in the thought of what it must mean
To be made complete and new
And that one day I’ll join you

Awoken…

To look upon the face
Of the One in whose image you were made

Take My Hand is the song I wrote for my father before he passed, and a “prequel” to this song.