Getting Your Second Wind

A couple of days ago, I received a message from a high school acquaintance who had been a caregiver for a decade before her mother passed away early this year. She noted she was having trouble sleeping, couldn’t get motivated to do anything, felt … lost.

I pointed out that some studies show it takes 3–5 years to adjust to the loss of a loved one, and she’s only about a month into her journey. I also suggested she see her physician for some counseling, and help with sleeping and dealing with what sounds like an episode of depression.

At the same time, I’m running into some rough weather in life and yesterday was an especially difficult day. I had the TV on for background music and Billy Joel’s You're Only Human (Second Wind) came on. As I listened to the words, I immediately felt a lift so I went online to check the lyrics. I’ve read them about a dozen times in the last 24 hours.

Even though he wrote the song to address the issue of teen depression and suicide, it is perfect for caregivers. Read through the verse below at least twice, check the notes at the bottom, go to the YouTube link to listen to the song, and see what you think.

And, Billy, thanks … more than you know …

“Don't forget your second wind

Sooner or later you'll get your second wind

It's not always easy to be living in this world of pain

You're gonna be crashing into stone walls again and again

It's alright, it's alright”

All copyrights apply to Billy Joel.

Notes—You're Only Human (Second Wind) is a song written and performed by Billy Joel. The song deals with teenage depression and suicide. It originally appeared on Billy Joel's Greatest Hits, Volume I & II in 1985 and became a top ten hit, peaking at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100. Joel, who had once attempted suicide himself, stated in a 1985 interview that he wrote the song as a way to help young people struggling with depression and thoughts of suicide.[1] In his original draft, he was concerned that the song sounded too depressing, so he rewrote it with a bouncy, joyous beat and melody with lyrics that stressed personal forgiveness and optimism about life. Joel donated all royalties from the song to the National Committee for Youth Suicide Prevention.[2] (Notes from Wikipedia)