Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Daniel's Piano Song

Two years ago on Memorial Day, May 28th, 2012 my brother Daniel died by suicide and went to live in heaven.

At age 16, Daniel was diagnosed with schizophrenia and went through his first psychotic episode. He loved to play the piano, and he was gifted in the ability to hear a song on the radio, find the tune easily, and play it without any sheet music. He also liked to create his own songs. He had one song in particular that he composed and would play almost every day for years to an annoying degree.

After he passed away, an e-mail was forwarded to my parents from one of his friends.  It included a cell phone recording of the song that he always played. In the e-mail, Daniel told his friend about a time that he was in the hospital and found an open piano in the patients’ common area. He sat down and started playing his song, when after a while he noticed that all of the patients had stopped talking. He wrote that the room fell silent and there was a sense of peace. From then on, whenever Daniel was anxious he would play this song.

Below is a surprise film that I made as a gift for my parents that is set to a re-recording of the song that Daniel used to play. After the film is the original cell phone recording of Daniel playing.

I am so thankful for my friend Jonah Baker, who did a beautiful job of re-interpreting and recording the song for this film. You can check out his work here.


Thank you to everyone who has said such kind words of support to my family and me.  The amount of love that has been shown these past two years is really beautiful and has been so appreciated.   

15 comments:

  1. Loved the film and Daniel's music! Lovely !

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  2. So much beauty and talent in this video.

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  3. wow. what a hauntingly beautiful melody full of so much meaning. what a wonderful soul. your video and words moved me to tears.
    ~Abigail

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  4. This is beautiful! My thoughts and prayers go out to you this week. I can't even imagine what it would be like to lose a brother at such a young age.

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  5. beautiful, indeed.

    sometimes the pain is too great. for them. for us.
    thank you for your open honesty, your sharing….

    LOVE

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  6. What a wonderful way to continue Daniel's song! Thank you for sharing it with us. I am sorry your heart is heavy with his memories right now. I hope making this film and the comforting words of friends and family will help ease you through this time. You are in our thoughts and hearts. Peace.

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  7. God bless you. What a beautiful way to remember your brother.

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  8. Beautiful song. I understand the pain of losing a family member - my mom died when I was 18 years old. In heartache, I found strength to pursue my passion - sewing and photography. There's a bright future ahead of you. Danielle will make sure of that.

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  9. Thank you for sharing this. x

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  10. So sorry, the pain will always be there but it changes after a while.

    /Avy

    http://mymotherfuckedmickjagger.blogspot.com

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  11. So sorry for you loss and suffering. A year and a half ago we lost our sweet nephew to schizophrenia in a suicide as well. Our family shares your devastation and loss. Please know the comfort of those who share this sad experience.

    I wish you light in your beautiful young life and golden memories always of your dear brother. sincerely.

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  12. What an amazing tribute to Daniel and your love for him.

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  13. I can't begin to describe how beautiful your movie and your brother's music are....thank you so much for taking the time and the emotional effort to share this with strangers. I will pass it on and spread you and your brother's talent and memory.

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