Saturday, August 1, 2009
Gracie's Theme: Music Video
Share the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVaaRx1-kSs
When I was born with my congenital heart defect in 1973 my parents almost lost me. Today, according to the American Heart Association, heart defects account for an average of 30% of all birth defect related deaths. No one should have to lose a child. And yet, these hard things happen daily.
Many years ago I was fortunate to travel with Richard Paul Evans' who wrote the #1 New York Times best-selling book The Christmas Box inspired by parents who've loss children. He had invited me to compose an album of piano music inspired by his work. Together as we toured the country I met thousands of parents who've experienced the death of a child or several children. It's a cross so hard and difficult to bear I'm not sure I can truly understand the depth or pain of such a thing. Needless to say, those who’ve crossed that difficult road and climbed that impossible mountain inspire me. They are some of the most kind, compassionate, humble, and open people I know.
Tom and Michele Gledhill are one such family. They dealt with congenital heart disease even before Gracie Jean was born on March 20, 2008. Their journey of ups and downs in fighting to keep their daughter alive by whatever means is a powerful example of love, hope, and faith. And although Gracie passed away on March 2, 2009 after a difficult heart transplant the Gledhills know she has returned to a loving God.
Gracie's brief mortal life empowers her family and those who knew her with virtues of humility, strength, compassion, openness, understanding, and a love for others. Their daughter was an angel, a gift, sent by God to bless lives.
What do I take away from knowing families like the Gledhills? Never give up! Never quit! Never lose sight of having faith in God. And in the end, if any of us are called home to the God who gave us life, before what some may call our time, can we declare, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith!"
It is with the uptmost respect and love that I share this montage of home movies and pictures from the Gledhill family. Their path reflects so many other families. I want to thank Michele and Tom for sharing their story with us. The video is set to "Gracie's Theme" which I wrote shortly after Gracie's passing.
I dedicate this video to every family who has lost a child.
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Beautiful, absolutely beautiful. A beautiful family. I'm glad they have so much video of sweet Gracie. And those pics were adorable. I love it.
ReplyDeleteAfter watching that beautiful piano/video tribute to Gracie & her family, I am so welled up with tears I can barely write.
ReplyDeleteYour music is beautiful & inspiring.
Thank you for sharing that part of yourself with others.
christina
Tears are flowing. What a beautiful tribute for Sweet Angel Gracie. I pray the Gledhill family still feels Gracie close and our Heavenly Father continues to carry them.
ReplyDeletePaul... that was PERFECT!! I am all teared up. I miss Gracie Girl and I pray that the Gledhill's are feeling her close each day. I am petrified for Owen to get his new heart one day, but I know that no matter what... Heavenly Father will carry us through. This is a tough road to travel. We pray for you and your family often.
ReplyDeleteAndrea
I'm at a loss for words! That was soo beautiful! It was wnderfully made! Oh man I can't stop crying:) You, Mr. Cardall, are a saint! I pray that you will receive your new heart, that you may live a long and fulfilled life so that many will be blessed by you! You have blessed my life!!! Thank you!
ReplyDeletei saw your chd video on youtube and now follow your blog. i am a momy to a 9mos old born with chd (taussig-bing). i just started a blogger account so i can follow you. you are such an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThat was amazing, Paul. It was a beautiful tribute at your benefit concert and this video is so nicely done. You do so much to inspire those in your circle of influence. :) We pray that your new heart will become available soon.
ReplyDeletePaul, Thanks - It means so much to those of us who have lost children. I think of your parents too in the loss of their son, your brother. I too have followed Gracie's story and have been inspired myself by the strength of Tom and Michele. I still, after 6 years, struggle daily with the loss of my sweet little Mia. Thanks again for thinking of us bereaved parents, especially with what you are facing. Nicole Holland - Mia's mom ^i^
ReplyDeletePS - The song 'Gracie's Theme'is beautiful - I love your music.
Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThe video is beautiful... perfect... Michele is indescribably blessed to have so many pictures and so much video, and now to be put to your music! But your blog post really made it even more touching. I think you know how much those of us who have lost a child to CHD appreciate you... but thank you again... for dedicating this to our sorrow AND our joy. We love you and your family!
ReplyDeleteI am stunned at the beauty of your composing. What a beautiful video as well. My heart goes out to the Gledhills.
ReplyDeleteWOW....absolutely breathtaking!Im constantly thinking about Gracie and the Gledhills...and what a perfect tribute to such a wonderful family! You are amazing. Keep "fighting a good fight" Paul!
ReplyDeleteThat was so beautiful. I can barely see to type this through my tears. My heart breaks for all the families that have lost their 'heart' baby. I continue to pray for you and your new heart and all the other CHD families.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful masterpiece.
ReplyDeleteThat is as close to an Angel as one can get.
I'll never forget precious Gracie.
Thank you for being there for the family.
Heavenly rewards are coming your way.
One thing I hadn't thought about before watching those home movies is the pain that the siblings of a lost child must feel. My sons would rather be hit by a bus than see harm come to their baby sister. Those kids look like they are such great big brothers and sister!
ReplyDeleteWow! That was powerful. Absolutely beautiful! I followed Gracies blog the last few months of her mortal life and, consequently, was directed to your blog during her funeral arrangements. I cry every time I hear Gracie's Theme. It is truly inspired and touches me in a way I cannot describe. It is just perfection.
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet and amazing little girl with a most wonderful family. I'm grateful for fellow members like yourself, your family and the Gledhill's who inspire me to be a better wife/mommy/member/person every day. Thank you for sharing your gift with us.
Your music for The Christmas Box got me through the death of my 18 year old son in 1995. I was able to see you and Richard Paul Evans at a fireside that you did. Thank you for sharing your talents with the rest of the world :) Debbie James
ReplyDeleteThis is BEAUTIFUL! We have lloved the music since we found you through Gracies site shortly after she went home. We love that sweet girl and are so touched by your tribute to her!
ReplyDeleteAmazing! You are such an inspiration. Thank you for sharing your talent for all to enjoy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
ReplyDeleteFantastic! Absolutely FANTASTIC! You truly are an inspiration to us all.
ReplyDeleteThe video is so sad, yet so beautiful, made all the more lovely by your composition. Such a wonderful tribute!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful tribute! This turned out perfectly. We miss you sweet Gracie Girl!
ReplyDelete(in regards to the post below....wow. Lynette is so beautiful. You are a lucky man Paul!! A strong marriage despite difficulty is truly a gift to be treasured. We love you guys and pray every day for you!)
Absolutely beautiful song and the video had me in tears. My heart goes out to their family and yours. May God bless you and all the heart families always!
ReplyDeleteWhat a tender, sweet video! And the music is perfect. Thanks for sharing.:-)
ReplyDeleteI have been following your blog for a few months now. I do not have one but my daughter does and I am always looking through hers. My heart goes out to you as I know what you are going through. My son was born in 1982 with Congenital Heart Disease and received his new heart on June 7, 2003. He is doing great! He now is married and has a son of his own. Please do not give up hope, my son waited for almost 3 years before receiving his heart. It will happen....
ReplyDeleteThe song that you wrote for little Gracie is amazing and brought tears to my eyes. I think of you and your family often even though I do not know you. My daughter's blog is Jestin, Taryn & Blayke, please feel free to check it out. Vicki
Paul,
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful, beautiful tribute to Heavenly Fathers plan to come to earth and gain a body, be tested and then return to Him. Such a comfort to all families who have lost a child at any age. The Gledhill's reflect the light of heaven as do you and your dear family. May you and your family continue to be blessed with patience, hope, joy and endurance. Thank you for developing and sharing your gift of music.
I don't have words... only tears... the song is absolutely gorgeous! The video is astounding. I look back at where we have been with our own daughter and I am just SO thankful that I did not have to bury her and I plead with my Heavenly Father each day to allow her to stay with us just a while longer. Silly I know... but honest.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for what you have done. It is wonderful to know that there are people like you. My son is due on October 10th. He was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome with a tricuspid valve defect on the Right side. He isn't expected to live for very long. I know that he is going home and I am grateful for the knowledge we have in the gospel. Congratulations on receiving your new heart. You have certainly been blessed and will continue to bless others through your life, music and example! Thank you
ReplyDeleteMy mom and I watched this video because I wanted her to hear your music, and we were both sobbing this morning as I headed off to work and she was going to watch my two youngest. I could not tear myself away. I cannot imagine the heartache of such an astounding loss. The music and video were absolutely the most heartfelt and touching things I have ever experienced. You have a gift through your music to do great things for people. Your story and amazing little Grace's story touched my heart deeply. God Bless You, your family and Gracie's family.
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