bereavement

bereavement programming

The child life specialists, social workers and staff of the Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers have created The Retreat of Renewal, an annual bereavement retreat, which is offered to those families who have lost a loved one.

At this retreat, Purple Songs Can Fly composers work with the siblings of children who have passed to write and record a song about the loss of their brother or sister. Using a portable studio, this recording program benefits the children and families by providing a comforting outlet of expression for their shared feelings of loss and love.

(chorus)

Hope and hugs and all your happiness

All your favorite things we won't forget

Color them pink, yellow and blue

Always with us now, like photographs of you

Pink, yellow and blue, photographs of you

(chorus)

Lego homes and dinosaurs

Little things that you adored

Pranks and games we used to play

Footprints where you danced away

All the things you smiled through

All these little hints of you

Well they all lead back to you

Nerf guns all across the floor

Notes in Grandfather's car door

All the trips we made with you

Funny voices you could do

Understood like no one else

All these little things they help

'Cause they all lead back to you

(chorus)

Trains and cars

Dance and cheer

Salt and sugar

Gone but here

We learned to be strong

We learned how to laugh

We learned how to make

Every moment last

You taught us how to push through

You taught us how to fight

You're everywhere now

Leaving us signs

(chorus)

Every time I see a star I think of you

Every time I touch the blanket in your room

And from Christmastime to ladybugs in June

Looking back on all the trips I took with you

I will think of you

Every time the Astros play I think of you

Every time I see a bright yellow balloon

And from playing games to stepping on a cruise

Looking back on all the fun I had with you

I will think of you

(chorus)

Some days

I think about you every minute

But there's never a day

Your name fades away

And every day

Your love gives me strength

'Cause you're at peace

Watching over me

'Cause you're at peace

Watching over me

(chorus)

I still hear you laughing day and night

I still see the light in your eyes

I still feel how you made me strong

I remember you like you're not even gone

I remember you

(chorus)

Not just a name, not just a name

My sister, my brother, our happy times

Funny faces and butterflies

Angel wings and a chance in life

When I get up there, she'll teach me to fly, fly

Not just a name, not just a name

My brother, my sister, our memories

Smiley faces and playing zombies

Every day, cowboys and hide 'n seek

Fight for the cure for this disease, please

Not just a name, not just a name

(chorus)

Handprints and reminders

On my wall from you

Memories of when we played

And how I laughed with you

And these little parts of you I keep

Little lights and memories

Yes, I've got all these little lights

That you left for me

Yes, I've got all these little lights

That you left for me

(chorus)

Following me around

Next to me when I lay down

And we played and we laughed

You were the best friend I had

You always understood me

Backed me up, followed behind me

And it's hard not to hear

Your steps, your voice, your laugh

And the sounds that I don't hear anymore

(chorus)

Siblings for life

We cherish the times together

We feel bad because they died

Because they died of cancer

But they are in a better place

A better place forever