Episode 8 - Before I Go (for Tookie)

My Aunt Tookie has always been the black sheep of the family. Sharp as a tack, comically irreverent toward convention, and unafraid to speak her mind, she has forged her own unique path in life. She's recently been moved into hospice care, but before she dies she has one very unusual wish...   BE A PATRON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/iwrotethissongforyou   Thank You to my current Patreon supporters for helping me produce this episode! Patreon Gold (Passionate): Paula Atwood, Royce and Rosalie Blowe, Moira Danis, Kristin Dimento, Thomasina LaGuardia, Molly Perkinson, Elizabeth Rice, Linda Wells, Sharon Wyse, William Zybach.   Patreon Silver (Inspired): Ariela Bonucci, Tanara Bowie, Alison Deadman, Mark Goodwin, Hayes Hanley, Karen Hanley, Joseph Lee, Linda DiPaolo Love, Stephanie Mastri, Randall Pharr, Sallie Thalhimer, Robert Williamson. Before I Go is written and performed by Wells Hanley on piano and vocals. Mixed and mastered by Curtis Fye. ©2022   Before I Go Music and Lyrics by Wells Hanley ©2022 Someone once said Don't waste your time on the dead There are things you can't control Just don't let them weigh on your soul It's while we're here, we can let it show Say what we need to say before they go   Before I go, What I want you to know is that as awful as it may seem there's no need to cry and scream Just take a chill - give up your straining It could be worse, it could be raining   Better off, do something for someone still around Lighten someone's load, wouldn't that be cool? Help them to approach the unknown, the frightening and mysterious with a joke or a laugh - it doesn't have to be so serious.   So before I'm dead Please get it into your head that the sky is not falling down and the king has got no clothes And while there are those who'll try explaining, it's best to see it all as entertaining So shed your worry, it was only draining It could be worse, it could be raining   Before I go, I hope you'll know that dying's not so bad Everyone must go - one day, even you And while we hope for heaven and fret about hell, which is just such a pile, you know the measure of a life well lived is if you made somebody smile. The hellfire and damnation, it's such an awful crock you know I may never have been "saved", but think of what I've saved: At the cut rate crematorium for just 800 bucks I'll be relieved of all but seven pounds and I'll remain with zero… fear and regret   Before I go What I want you to know is that I love you in a place where there's no time or space And I don't know how, but I think it's true that when I'm there, I'm everywhere too Which means that I'll be here with you… So don't be sad, don't start complaining It could be worse, it could be raining   Join the Mailing List at iwrotethissongforyou.comSign up for Wells' mailing list to be sure you never miss an episode! You'll also be notified of special collaborations, upcoming live streams, or events near you. Find I Wrote this Song for You on Social Media Twitter Instagram Facebook   Thank you to family and friends for your support in the long journey that created this podcast. Your hearts are woven into every episode. A special thanks to Jude Treder-Wolff for introducing me to the NYC storytelling community and for our many adventures together pairing story and song. A very special thanks to Courtney Page Ferrell for bolstering my confidence before I believed in this idea, for realizing "it's a podcast!", and for continuing to cheer me on tirelessly. The deepest and most cathartic thank you to Elizabeth Smartt for partnering with me to birth this creative vision. For spending countless hours sculpting my idea into something clear and concise down to the logo, website, and even the format of each episode. You are a godsend of a creative collaborator and I am eternally grateful to you for bringing this podcast into the world with me.