paul shire colarusso

August 24, 1987

My dearest Jessica,

It's your 16th birthday, and though we are so very many miles apart, i think of you often. It is always a bittersweet thought. Often i am ashamed i have not been there to help you find a way through your life, but i was lost myself. Had i stayed with your mother i'm sure it would have been far worse than growing up without your Dad around. Your mother was not to blame. We married far too young. We were not prepared, and our circumstances easily overwhelmed us. I've had a sad and lonely life and in a way i'm glad you did not see me. This song is my favorite, and i dedicate it to you my child.

This melody came to me as i was drifting off to sleep, but I got up out of bed to record it. Each and every word is the naked truth, especially the first line. Of all my songs, this one is my favorite.

With paul magnano drums, dave phillips bass, alex watts on lead guitar. Recorded in the spring of 1989. Additional instrumental tracks added and remixed in the spring of 2016.