Stephen Wilson Jr. - "Hang In There" (LIVE ACOUSTIC)

It’s been 2 years since he’s been gone. I wrote this song for him and recorded it live in my backyard for the anniversary of the worst day of my life. But it also marked the beginning of new things. Things within me that I didn’t know existed. The only way I can explain it was my brain was re-wired in an instant. Doing 95 mph going north on I-65 in the middle of Kentucky trying like hell to get there before he passed, I said goodbye to my best friend and father on an iPhone 8. The same one I’m typing this on. I’ll never get rid of it, an upgrade is impossible. He was our everything. The driving felt like falling. He was so damn tough and calm and his last words to me were, “Everything’s gonna be okay, buddy. Write a good song for me. I love you, I love you, I love you...”. Seconds later, even though I was still a 100 miles away, I knew the exact moment he was gone and that’s when it was. I pleaded with the sky and cursed it at the same time. This was NOT supposed to happen. It would never be the same. Life, that is. He loved going to Jamaica and Caribbean Islands and spear fishing and snorkeling and becoming friends with as many people as possible. It’s who he was everywhere including my hometown of Seymour, IN. I was always so quiet & shy and stood in awe of that trait, one which I definitely didn’t inherit. I often asked myself, how am I named after this guy? He was so loved and still is. He often wore these beaded beach necklaces to represent his love for the islands and they also made for good conversation, one of his favorite pastimes. Whatever he did, he was all in. Boxing, Parenting, Auto body repair, Softball, you name it. I don’t have a lot of my dad’s things but I do have one of his beaded necklaces. It’s my most valuable material possession. I’ve been keeping it on my rearview mirror ever since this dreaded day. A don’t look back - but always remember, form of symbolism. I’ve felt him around me at many times. During all this recent craziness, I’ve often wondered what he would say about it. He was a fighter and fighters know things. I think this song was the answer. Hang in there, y’all. ❤️ Love you, SWSr.