I’ll Walk Again (a lyric for my son)

Mar 11, 2010, 10:32 PM

Hey everybody…a little background behind this one.  Last week we got the news that my middle son is going to have to have surgery on both of his legs to correct an on-going condition.  Any surgery is serious surgery…this surgery isn’t of a life-threatening/risking nature - but the recovery process is very long and it involves a lot of very painful therapy.  My son’s going to have to work very hard toward being able to walk again.  This is the second time that he’s had to have surgery of this nature…in some ways that makes it more difficult because he knows what to expect this time…he’s a very brave, very determined young man though - and as a father I’m proud beyond words of the way in which he’s facing it.  He’s growing up to be a truly remarkable person and he has a way of inspiring everybody around him in all the best ways.  At any rate, this has been on my mind and the lyric below came about as a result.  The surgery’s scheduled for March the 26th.

I’ll Walk Again

Verse 1:
The doctor came into his room
Said the surgery went well
We think you’ll walk again
But it’s too soon to tell
The boy layed their and listened
From his hopsital bed
Looked down at his legs
And quietly said

Chorus:
I’ll walk again
I’m gonna run
You just wait and see
I’ll show ev’ryone
I’ll give it all I got
And I’ll do the best I can
Yeah, you just wait an’ see
I’ll walk again

Verse 2:
He looks through his bedroom window
Watches the other kids play
They’re having so much fun
It’s a pretty day
He slowly tries to stand up
Falls back down in his chair
Through his pain and his tears
He silently swears

Chorus:
I’ll walk again
I’m gonna run
You just wait and see
I’ll show ev’ryone
I’ll give it all I got
And I’ll do the best I can
Yeah, you just wait an’ see
I’ll walk again

Bridge:
The doctor says it’s too soon
But he just can’t wait any longer
And with each small step he takes
He gets a little stronger
Friends and fam’ly cheer him on
Ev’ry step of the way
And as he crosses the room
They all hear him say

Chorus:
I’ll walk again
I’m gonna run
You just wait and see
I’ll show ev’ryone
I’ll give it all I got
And I’ll do the best I can
Yeah, you just wait an’ see
I’ll walk again

I’ll Walk Again (c) 2010 W. Ray Bertram

Mar 12, 2010, 01:48 AM

I’m so sorry he’s got to bear this cross, but I’m so proud for his resolve and spirit. He is an inspiration, Ray, and this beautiful lyric illustrates it well. I hope you find both music and blank video space to record this triumph as it unfolds, because this will be a keepsake for his children and grandchildren as well. You’re a great father, Ray. Kudos.

JD

Mar 12, 2010, 01:54 AM

Oh how sad :(
But a beautiful sentimental song Ray
God bless your son and i will pray for him.
Shari

Mar 12, 2010, 02:31 AM

Ray, I’m so sorry for your son, how brave he is and a Dad so brave for him. The lyrics is so gentle but so strong. You know the power of prayer it’s here with all of us. Bless you and your son.!!!!!!!

Mar 12, 2010, 04:04 AM

‘’ ......AW,, Ray…This song you have written’‘reminds me of a song ‘‘called’‘You never walk alone’‘My daddy
used to sing to me ‘‘when I was a little girl…it always has given me’‘,,a sacred place to go sometimes
with my thoughts..’‘

      Ray…
‘’.....This is how it goes…
When you walk through a storm
Keep your chin up high
And don’t be afraid of the dark.
At he end of the storm
Is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark.

This is how powerful your song is RAY…
Your son is gonna be alright…
He;s a fighter like his dad..
Ray I have told you once
You remind me soooo
much of my dad….[he;s almost 80 years old never remarried mum died at age 38 just like your dad RAy…]
‘‘Your son will draw upon all the love he is blessed to have around him…
  I’m praying for you and your family Ray..

 

Speak Soon:
Shirl;o

Mar 12, 2010, 08:53 AM

Hey everyone, my time’s very short this morning and I’ll get around to respond to each of you tonight or in the morning as I’m able…I just wanted to drop a real quick note into the strand simply to thank each of you for the kind words you’ve shared and the kind thoughts you’ve expressed here - SW101 continues to be one of the most special places and the people who come here are amongst the very best in so many ways.  Nothing’s set or laid in stone yet, but we’re going to start kicking around potential production ideas for this piece this weekend.  Thanks again for your kind words and thoughts - your thoughts and prayers toward my son’s surgery are appreciated more than you know.

Mar 12, 2010, 11:46 AM

I just love the positive attitute towards life you and your son seem to share, and that you can so masterly cast into verses. All the best to you both!

Bernd

Mar 12, 2010, 12:14 PM

Ah Ray, I can so feel your love and your son must be one brave kid. Bless you all.
Cindy

Mar 13, 2010, 01:48 PM

Hey J.D. - I really appreciate you dropping into the strand and checking this one out…your thoughts and prayers mean a whole lot to us.  You know that I’ve got 6 kids in all and every one of them inspires me in the most amazing ways.  The way that they face challenges as they find them never fails always makes me feel all the more proud to be their father, too.  We’re in the process of kicking production ideas around on this one…I’ll keep you posted through this strand on progress as and when it comes.  I hope that you’re doing good over there on your side of the screen today, J.D. - things are going well up here on the mountain this weekend.  It almost feels like spring outside today…

Mar 13, 2010, 01:50 PM

Thanks Shari - your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated…I’m glad you liked the lyric, too.  Have a great day over there on your side of the screen.

Mar 13, 2010, 01:56 PM

Elaine - I really appreciated your kind words, both about my son and the lyric…thank you for dropping into the strand.  Just about all of my writing comes from “the fabric of my days,” sometimes more literally than others, sometimes a bit more on the abstract side…it’s just natural for me to write about things, partly because it’s how I cope with and see things, partly because I’m just a compulsive writer lol My son is a very brave young man, though - all of my kids are…I’m very fortunate as a father that way - I’ve been blessed with incredible kids and every day that I get to spend with them and around them has a way of being even better than the day before.  And I hope that you’re having a good day over there, Elaine, because you’ve made our day over all the better by sharing what did - thanks again.

Mar 14, 2010, 11:06 AM

Top of the morning, Shirley - I’m getting around kind of slow this weekend, lots to do up here on the mountain just now.  I wanted to thank you for what you shared - the words you shared that your father used to sing to you are beautiful and very true.  I’m always amazed at how you always know just the right thing to say at the right time, Shirley - you’ve got a beautiful heart and you’re a wonderful friend.  Thank you for dropping into the strand, checking this one out, and sharing your thoughts with me…I really do appreciate it, more than you know.

Mar 14, 2010, 11:07 AM

Hey Bernd - thanks for checking this one out and your kind words toward it, an even bigger thanks for your well wishes, my friend.  I hope that the weekend’s going well over there on your side of the screen - we’re doing pretty good up here on the mountain.  It’s kind of starting to look and feel like Spring outside…and I’m ready for it :-)

Mar 14, 2010, 11:12 AM

Thanks Cindy - I’ve been blessed with wonderful children all the way around, and my 15 year old son fits right into the mix of things that way.  I have no doubt that he’ll do well, get along fine, and get back into full working order as quickly as he can - it’s going to be a long hard row to hoe…but he’s an incredibly kid and I know he’ll do it.  He always faces challenges and adversities in ways that make him better, not bitter.  Our family and our kids all hang tight together, especially during times like this, so he’ll get a world of encouragement and the best kind of support along the way.  We do appreciate everybody’s thoughts and prayers along the way though, every little bit helps and makes the way ahead that much easier.  Hang tight and enjoy the day over there, Cindy :-)

Mar 14, 2010, 11:34 AM

Ray,am so emotional with this.am always very emotional ,but this one has a special impact to my soul.dad,son,surgery,positive thinking ,love,bond.i can see all these and am moved .God bless you man its not easy to see dads that are close to the family these days.God bless him and he will definitely walk again.
Faustina.

Mar 15, 2010, 01:44 AM

One of the greatest songwriters that ever lived made it possible for me to walk today. I was born with hip dysplasia and I could only go around in circles and my mom was working as a secretary on music row for Billy Sherril,Well~~Harlen Howard came into the office and saw my mom had been crying and asked her what was wrong…she told him about me and that I needed surgery she could not afford.So he took her to the bank and gave her the money for my surgery.3 years later after my body cast and leg braces were removed. I walked…
I saw Harlen at a resterant in Nashville about 3 months before he died and I walked up to him and told him who I was and said ..If it were’nt for you Mr.Howard I could not walk up to you today to say Thank You!!! From the bottom of my heart.Ray your son will do fine with all of our prayers and if you need anything let us all know ,Im sure we all would be willing to help the little boy who may someday turn out like his father~~a great songcrafter.
I am Blessed and God bless your family and especially that little boy.
Shari