Thanks to Jill Paulson at A Matter of Memories I was introduced to “Say What You Need to Say” by John Mayer. I think it’s a terrific reminder of how important it is to talk to those we love and say what we need to say. It has become, at least for now, my anthem for the work I do as a personal historian.
At the end of a person’s life, whether from age or a terminal illness, it has been shown that giving people an opportunity to tell their life stories can be of real benefit. But we don’t need to wait for death to be knocking on our door, we can start today to capture our memories and the memories of loved ones.
I’ve included the lyrics to “Say What You Need to Say” because it helped me appreciate John’s song even more. Enjoy!
Say What You Need to Say
Take all of your wasted honor.
Every little past frustration.
Take all of your so called problems,
Better put ‘em in quotations.
Say what you need to say
Walkin’ like a one man army,
Fightin’ with the shadows in your head.
Livin’ up the same old moment
Knowin’ you’d be better off instead
If you could only…Say what you need to say
Have no fear for givin’ in.
Have no fear for giving over.
You better know that in the end
It’s better to say too much, than never to say what you need to say again.
Even if your hands are shaking,
And your faith is broken.
Even as the eyes are closin’,
Do it with a heart wide open.
Say what you need to say
Say what you need to, Say what you need to…
Say what you need to say.
