This was a group that i was involved with where we spoke, sang about different situations in our life. This event was about how everyone has mental health issues at some time in their life. I  wrote a song about my experience and sung it about being bullied at school as a child, also the domestic violence i experienced, and being a twin and co- dependant on my twin sister as a child. How i needed my twin sister to do everything for me as i was too traumatized to do it myself until many years later where i was able to grow and do better. Writing and singing about our experiences help us to release them so we let them go. The song was called “You were there.” i had a backing group singing behind me as i am very shy. We can use art to help heal us from what we have gone through and to get the message out about an important topic like mental health.

 

You were there for me when i couldn’t breath

you were there for me when i couldn’t talk

you were there for me when i couldn’t walk

You were there for me

Thank you for being there for me, my sister

 Thank you for being my friend

Thank you for loving me forever.

 Thank you for being there, for me

 You covered yourself over me to protect me.

Because i was the little one

you were the bigger one.

 When i didn’t know how to be me. 

From the shock of trying to be myself

 Standing strong right next to me there you would be.

 You would be there to guide my way

 Always did you stand along beside me

Verse

 Never ever did you leave my side, not even for a moment.

 every day at school, there you would be.

did all my school work for me

Because at that stage, i just coudn’t do it myself

 You were like a shining light to guide my way

i thought our souls were as one

 that we would never ever be able to be apart

 but time showed me that we could

Verse

Your kindness to me gave me the strength

Until i was able to stand by myself

 To function without you standing next to me

 Till i could be as one and felt my own power

Then you would stand next to me and smile and be my friend.

That was how i grew and found my own strength

 with you standing supportively next to me

 You were always there for me like a true twin sister is.