Carry On aka Gary's Song

This is the story behind my song "Carry On" from my album "Peace of Mind".

When Sarah and I first got married in 1999, she started teaching and I was playing music in "Silas".  Things were pretty tight for us financially at the time and my long time friend Steve Frew asked me if I wanted to come and work with him as a Cross Country ski instructor at a place called "Pleasure Valley" in Uxbridge, ON.

Having never really done Cross Country skiing let alone taught it to a bunch of school groups, I thought it sounded like fun so I took the job.

Pleasure Valley I quickly learned was a very interesting place.  Not only did it offer Cross Country skiing, but it was a Horse Ranch equipped with real cowboys and cowgirls, it has a climbing wall, picnic sites for company or large family gatherings, beach volleyball courts and at the time had water slides.  Not sure if that part of it is still operational.

In working there I met the bosses "Jacquie and Gary" who were both amazing people and they took me in like I was family.

Gary as I have mentioned at many of my shows over the year made a real impression on me.  I was fascinated by his love for horses and his ability to try and work with them using his own methods of horse whispering and a harnesses that didn't use a bit.

Gary and I had many conversations but the one that really stands out in my mind was when he shared the story of losing his son.

My heart broke as he shared that and although I searched for words of comfort and hope, I was at a loss in that moment.  

When I went home, I started to write the song that became "Carry On" aka Gary's Song.  It is a song of questioning and wonder.  It is kind of frustrating because it doesn't really give answers or a sense of hope.

I was given a DVD to watch by my friend Don Grunsten who is in the T.V. and Film industry.  The reason that I wanted to watch this film directed by Karen O'Donnell called "Odd Kid Out" was a) because I was very curious about the subject, exploring children with ADHD, but b) because my old friend Gary was featured in the documentary because of his horse training.

Gary has since passed away but it was so good to see him and hear his passion for horses again.  It was like therapy for me to spend a few moments with him, if even on screen.

One of my regrets is that I never did get a chance to share his song with him before he passed away.

But today after I watched the film I contacted the director to let her know about the song, and email Gary's wife Jacquie to see if I can send her a copy of the song.

I have no idea where things will head from here, but I thought I would blog about it in case anyone was interested in hearing more about the story of "Carry On".  It seems that the story continues...
Here is the link to the Documentary on ADHA if you are interested.
http://wordshopproductions.com/about/karen-odonnell-bio