The Forgotten Man
by Pennan Brae
This music video, 'The Forgotten Man' is about my grandparents, Stan & Alma. They had been married 50 years when Alma developed Alzheimer's. Stan was confused, frustrated & angry about this. He loved Alma so much; it pained him to watch her become this way. After decades together, she began forgetting his name & even who he was. Accepting this was heartbreaking & difficult for Stan. He didn't fully understand the nature of Alzheimer's & what it can do to a person. As this occurred during the 1980s, there wasn't the awareness & support groups available that there are today.
Alma was a peaceful person & sometimes she'd just look & smile at you. It was her good-natured soul shining through the ravages of her disease; Alzheimer's couldn't touch that. Most important to recall when helping one suffering; that it is not 'them' behaving a particular way; it is the terrible disease which has afflicted their brain & thus affected their behaviour. Hence, loved ones must extend unconditional love & understanding to those suffering & realize there will be times when their admirable patience & intentions are tested.
I was just a kid when this occurred but I knew my grandparents when they were healthy & thus it made an impact which remains today. I felt terrible for Stan's heartbreak & Alma debilitated by disease. Years later, the experience created this song, 'The Forgotten Man'. We recently made a video for it with some wonderful actors. The purpose of it is an artistic representation of the pain folks experience with Alzheimer's. May it be eliminated from our world. Thank-you, Pennan.
The Forgotten Man (Lyrics)
It’s another rainy night in this cold shore-lined town
Water beads down my window, dies without a sound
Leaves fly through the sky, trees dance back and forth
Winds announce their presence, howling from the North
I sit here silently, watch the scene unfold
A grown man weeps utterly, can’t believe what he’s told
His girl of fifty years can’t recall his name
If you don’t mind, just sit low
Tell you a story that you’ll want to know
‘Bout the old man whose love forgot about him
He was an old man, he didn’t understand
What happened to the woman, whose life he gave
What happened to the woman who forgot his name
Thunder softly speaks past the lightning of the sky
Sunshine rays stray slowly in once clouds take heed and die
Hurting tears always fall past the strike of the heart
Tears of joy overcome, as the darkness departs
Sit here with hands in lap, tears flow from his eyes
Want to give him all my help, just a boy am I
He’s seen the world at war, times that caused him strife
His soul is struck again, he loses the love of his life
You know I’m sorry man but I don’t know what to do
You know I wish I did ‘cause I feel bad for you
Though I see not the years, of wisdom that you do
Reunited you will be forever in your youth
Pennan Brae is a singer/songwriter that was touched deeply by Alzheimer's disease. His song, 'The Forgotten Man' is available in MP3 format for a $1.00 donation or the DVD of Pennan performing 'The Forgotten Man' is available for a $10.00 donation.
100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Alzheimer's Family Organization to assist us in continuing to provide essential programs and vital services for the caregivers and families of those with Alzheimer's disease and other dementia.
Call 727 848-8888 to order your copy today or follow the donate button to pay by Paypal. Be sure to include your request in the subject line for MP3 or DVD. Thank you for your support!!!