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about

This song was written in response to a powerful public awareness campaign by Shatterproof, an organization transforming addiction treatment in America. The campaign was titled The Last Photo. Families who have lost loved ones the the disease of addiction were asked to share the last photo of their loved one. In 2010 I lost my younger brother Nick after his long battle with addiction. Our life together was before the days of smart phones and having a camera in your pocket with you at all times. I thought with sadness that I didn't have many photos of my brother in the later years of his addiction. He often was too sick to be involved with family gatherings and special events. These reflections caused me to think about the pictures I hold in my mind and my "last photo" of him that I cherish. The photos and pictures in my mind are of a beautiful walk we took together on Christmas Day of 2009. I wrote this song about that walk together, my love for Nick, and the sadness I have at not being able to have a healthy Nick in my life and in the memories I make each day going forward.

lyrics

INTRO
The last photo I have of you is not one that I hold in my hand
The last photo I have of you is one that I hold in my heart

CHORUS
I didn't often have a camera by my side
I thought I had so much more time
The last photo I have of you, I hold in my mind's eye

VERSE ONE
It was Christmas Day, just like any day
Except that I was with you
Just you and I and a California sky
As we walked for an hour or two

CHORUS

VERSE
I can still see your smile, the wrinkle of you eyes
As you light up another cigarette
We talk about our lives
A frozen moment in time
A picture in my heart, a picture in my mind
The last photo I have of you, I hold in my mind's eye

BRIDGE
Your troubles didn't just take away days
They took all of the memories we should have made

CODA
The last photo I have of you
These memories I have of you
The last photo I have of you
I hold in my mind's eye
It's here in my mind's eye

credits

from When Stories Become Songs, released July 19, 2019
All music and lyrics by Vanessa Contopulos
Vocals and guitar by Vanessa Contopulos
Violin by Dan Sankey
Guitar, bass, and percussion by Alex Dausch
Produced, recorded, mixed, and mastered by Alex Dausch at Studio Studios

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Vanessa Contopulos San Diego, California

Vanessa Contopulos is a singer-songwriter and music therapist. She currently lives in the backcountry of San Diego. On the road to helping others through music, Vanessa discovered how much music was saving her as well. She processes change, grief, love, and the everyday beauties of life through her music. ... more

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