Just Breathe
Music: Just Breathe
Artist: Eddie Vedder
Shared by: Mayara for her Mother-in-Law
“That song helped me step into Alan’s shoes, to feel how much his mum meant to him—and how blessed I was to know her and be loved by her. I still get goosebumps when I hear it.”
Today she would be turning 87 years old.
On June 12th, on my way to my weekly therapy session, I received a call from Brazil. Unfortunately, it was the news we were waiting for—but not really waiting for. She had passed away.
My mother-in-law (but truly in life) Marlene Rodrigues, embraced me from the very first moment we met. I always felt more at home in her house on weekends than at my parents’. The smell of freshly brewed coffee, her gentle knock on the door asking, “May, what do you want for breakfast?”—that was her way of loving me as if I were her daughter.
Four years ago, Alan and I moved to the UK. It was my dream, which became his dream too. But he left so much behind—including his elderly mum, who we left in tears before going to the airport.
I’ve always been a big fan of Pearl Jam, especially Eddie Vedder. His lyrics have a way of staying with me. One day, Alan heard the song “Just Breathe” and didn’t say a word—but I knew exactly where it hit him. Every time I listened to that song, even while she was still alive, I thought about the day when all we could do was aim for another breath. That song helped me step into Alan’s shoes, to feel how much his mum meant to him—and how blessed I was to know her and be loved by her. I still get goosebumps when I hear it.
Today, in her beautiful memory, I want to leave this story here.
"Nothing you would take
Everything you gave, oh
Hold me 'til I die
I'll meet you on the other side"