Grandfather's touching song about stillborn grandson has us in bits
Australian singer-songwriter, Coby Grant, has a life that revolves around music.
According to her Facebook, she uses her music to share her most intimate thoughts and feelings:
"The music is honest, so honest. I write about things that I have experienced, that I have gone through…I sing from the heart. I love what I do."
In late 2016, she sang at a "magic" wedding, which was "full of love".
"It was one of the most beautiful weddings," she wrote. "Simply because I could feel the love in the room – between the couple, their friends, their families."
The bride was pregnant and "glowing".
However, in December of that year she received a heart-breaking message from the groom's father.
He told her that the baby the bride had been carrying at the wedding was stillborn. He was using her music to help him cope with the grief of losing his first grandchild.
He had a request for Grant, he wanted her help to write a song in honour of his grandson. He would give the song to his son and daughter-in-law, "to capture the love they all felt for this child and to honour his memory."
Over the next few months, the Grandfather sent Grant "pages of thoughts, poetry, words and feelings" to inspire her song writing. Grand also drew from her own experience of child loss.
"I also drew inspiration from my own friends who have lost children, whether that be from SIDS, stillbirth, or even later in life in other tragic circumstances."
Together they wrote the song Winter Bear which they packaged with another song. The grandfather passed on the CD to his son:
"It was quite overwhelming for them. They were and are extremely touched and grateful for the incredible gift he gave."
Grant also performed a small house concert for them, which was the "hardest thing" she had ever done, but still "the most beautiful and moving moment I have ever had the honour to be apart of."
The song was initially only meant for the family, but as time went on it got bigger and Grant decided to release it. It now have over two million views on Facebook alone.
"We all hope that it will touch other people who have lost their children. That it might bring a small amount of hope or peace in the face of this kind of loss."
Grant writes that for her, this is what music is all about:
"Music was always about human connection. The ability to touch people, to bring them together through joy, love, heartache, forgiveness or pain. Music is the language we all understand and I feel very lucky to have it as such a huge part of my life."
"I never knew a love like this could possibly exist" Grant sings. "I love you to the moon and back, my little winter bear."
Check out the music video here. Make sure to have tissues at the ready:
Winter Bear is available on Spotify and iTunes.