Share this page"June - Help Me Make it Through the Night"
- Details
- Published on Wednesday, 24 August 2016 16:06
- Written by Stanton O. Berg
“JUNE - HELP ME MAKE IT THROUGH THE NIGHT”
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June - Help me make it through the night
My Yesterdays are all just memories...
Like the shadows on the wall.
While my tomorrow's are out of sight...
it's so sad when I’m alone.
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I need your spirit by my side...
Until the morning’s' early light.
Help me make it through the night.
It’s so sad when I’m alone...
Help me make it through the night.
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I'm not sure what's right or wrong.
I just try to understand...
And while tomorrows another day..
tonight it is my memories.
Help me make it through the night...
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This poem was Inspired by Kris Kristofferson’s hit song, "Help Me Make It Through The Night" ...this country music ballad was written and composed by Kris Kristofferson and first released on his 1970 album “Kristofferson”:.
Kris Kristofferson said that his inspiration for the song came from an Esquire magazine interview with Frank Sinatra. When asked what he believed in, Frank in a flip mood, replied, "Booze, Broads, or The Bible...whatever helps me “make it through the night."
I am happy that Frank included the “Bible” as a means of getting through the night...Frank was a Christian...Kris Kristofferson was later involved in a life changing Christian experience that resulted in his country gospel hit song: “Why Me”...released in 1973.
I made several changes in the lyrics of this hit song to make it more appropriate as a poem for June and my life...for example...The Title was modified by adding the word “June”...I removed the first three ines...The original 26 lines were reduced to 15 lines...I added June’s name to the beginning of the first line that read “Help me make it through the night”...changed the line “And it’s so sad to be alone” to “It’s so sad when I’m alone”...changed the line “I don’t care who’s right or wrong’ to “I don’t know what’s right or wrong”...removed the line “Let the devil take tomorrow”...added three new lines “I need your spirit by my side”, “Until the morning’s early light”, and “tonight it is our Memories”...and other changes...very little of the original was actually retained.
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Making it Through the Night
The expression of “Help Me Make it Through the Night” is a very real and common part of my normal nights...nights that I am always home alone....when the evening shadows start creeping in, my life takes on a change...some people call this time of the day "Sun Downing"... both emotional and physical changes are common...in early evening following supper, I am checking email and making internet and caregiver postings.
I try to close down my computer and retire to my bedroom between 9-10 PM..I try to close down my computer with a "light hearted" message:
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"It is now 9:30 PM and Time for Bed.
Time for an "Old Coot" to head for the Barn.
So, Good Night All.
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I do not sleep well and am up frequently...every 1 to 2 hours...bathroom breaks...I try to make the best use of the sleepless segments by watching Public TV Programs...I keep a container of Cold Cranberry Juice close at hand to "Wet My Whistle" as needed through out the night...at 5-5:30 AM I am out of the bed and "raring to go" and meet the new day..
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MY DAYS
My days are completely the reverse...I am active on the Internet and on "Face-Book"...in promoting June’s honor, memory and Alzheimer’s awareness...I have a well feeling...I am up and active and in contact with friends, caregivers and the world...I am active in promoting prayers for caregivers and the victims of Alzheimer’s as well as the other dementia type diseases...this work is satisfying and provides a sense of purpose.
As a Christian, I do my best to act like a Christian...God asks us to be like: "The Light of the World"...June was like a light of the world...I tray to emulate her best Christian quaities:
"The Light of the World"
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(A City Set On A Hill)
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"You Are The Light Of The World.
A City Set On A Hill Cannot Be Hidden.
Nor Do People Light A Lamp And Put It Under A Basket,
But On A Stand, And It Gives Light To All The House.
In The Same Way, Let Your Light Shine Before Others,
So That They May See Your Good Works
And Give Glory To Your Father Who Is In Heaven"
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(Matthew 5:14-16...(ESV)
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Kris Kristofferson
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Reader's Comments
Donna Button - Bristol, United Kingdom - (24 August 2016): "Such a lovely picture of June Stanton, I to have trouble sleeping since my lovely mum left us..."
Judy Lemon Spooner - Oliveira do Hospital, Portugal - (24 August 2016): "That's a beautiful song there..... you and June are doing just fine together ."
Louise Ann Howard - Batemans Bay, New South Wales, Australia - (24 August 2016):"Many a night Stan fear creeps in my stomach cramps my thoughts go where I do not want them to. I do not want to put my head on my pillow there is no one to whisper I need you closer. Alone I am in my bedroom as I am a restless sleep man of house is in another room. I some times let my dog in but I know she is not who I need she does not understand my whispers. Lonely nights are awful the body reacts. I get nightmares as my mind tries to work things out they are ones that jerk you awake so real. yes I play a game try imaging I am somewhere else or the one I need is right there but it is still painful. I really feel for you. I spent time with my Dad he would awake in the middle of the night and I am sure he had my feelings too...we would sit, he would ask me questions why this and that I would do my best to answer...sometimes he would just need to talk. Then we would hours later go back to bed and not long after start the next new day as if last night had never happen but we both knew but never spoke of it again. Yes it happened many many a time. I really feel for you my mate Mr Stanton..."
Char Lene - Whittier, California - (24 August 2016):"Hang in there Stan. June would want you to."
Ena Castle - Brisbane, Australia - (24 August 2016):"I think it is a very common thing in our age group. Broken sleep. sometimes you get the odd good night, maybe we should open a late night club and call it " Broken Sleepers...I bet we would soon have a full membership.hugs Ena...I think l know Stanton...a part of you is missing...June and all that that entails, is more prominent at night..."
James Denton - Pana, Illinois - (24 August 2016): "Beautiful tribute and picture of your lovely wife..."
Jackie Irving - Liverpool, United Kingdom - (25 August 2016): "I did wonder if your thoughts were sad when you are alone Stan ...I would wish for you more than anything to have the well feeling as you put it your whole day through ...but I suppose night time, alone is a reflective time and your thoughts will always turn to your long life with June and the happy times you shared together which will make you understandably sad ... thinking of you my friend take care and God bless..."
Susan Beckett - Widnes, United Kingdom - (25 August 2016): "What a gorgeous picture. June looks so happy. Try and fill your mind with all those beautiful memories you and June shared, she would not want you to struggling.Take care..."
Paula Valentino - Palm Harbor, Florida - (25 August 2016): "She is always with you; connected by an invisible string; today and eternally. You are never truly alone. Love can't die; it lives on, and in the end it is all that matters for that very reason."
Debbie Hurstel - South Bend, Indiana - (25 August 2016): "God bless you both❤ Your love story is one in a million..."
Marie Crilly - Dublin,Ireland - (25 August 2016):"Beautiful lady she will help you through your nights Stan always."
Bernadette Brady - Dublin, Ireland - (25 August 2016): " I hope Stan that the love and support of all of us here on your page will help you, even in some small way. You are a very cherished friend to me and to so many others here."
Julie Harrison - Leyland, Lancashire, United Kingdom - (25 August 2016): "Sad you have to go through that."
Bonnie Seip - Ottsville, Pennsylvania - (25 August 2016): "What a Beautiful tribute to your Angel June ... I love this song ! It says it all. So sorry for you having to go through this. I know my Mom is too. She still has his robe hanging on the back of her bedroom door, she never takes it down 13 yrs now. It's so sad to go through something like this. It breaks my ❤️ the Love that is there and always will be is the Strongest of all. You and June made so many Memories together and Mr Berg NO ONE CAN TAKE THEM AWAY ... Thinking of you as always, God Bless you."
Jane Jackman - Ringwood, United Kingdom - (26 August 2016):"Bless you Stanton. I do feel for you. These sleepless nights are not good. Your mind works overtime doesn't it. I feel the Beautiful June is there watching over you!...Have been reading through June's Website. I was particularly interested in the 'Poems and Songs'. I have several of the original songs on CD's. So meaningful. Your adaptions Stanton, are so meaningful to yourself and your beautiful June."
Karen Glover - Suffolk County, New York - (26 August 12016): "Thinking of you, Stan, Prayers for God's comfort and love and strength. You are a very good friend, and inspiration, don't doubt your worth. God Bless and Keep You."
Missi Todaro Williams - New Orleans, Louisiana - (26 August 2016):"Prayers for you Stan...I wish you relief come nightfall."
Peri Plantz Holladay - Sacramento, California - (26 August 2016): "Lovely song to relate to when pain seems to be shadowing silently but loud enough for no sleep. I love how you changed it and the picture of your lovely June is perfect, God Bless you Stan!"
Marsha McKneely Ault - Nacogdoches, Texas - (30 August 2016}:
"I do not know that much about Kris Kristofferson, but I really enjoyed his song "Why Me, Lord" and his spiritual experience.
Something great happens in our lives when the Savior becomes a central part of our being.
Hope you have a great day, my friend."...
To Stanton O. Berg...
"To My Lady Love"
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I’m left here alone in the sea of life to row—
reminded by a distant harsh cry of a crow.
Many suffer, many sorrow, many lose
to this retched disease with a detonating fuse.
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My boat has docked in many harbors’ berth
to the far corners of this earth
as I strive to give my all to make aware
and find an Alzheimer’s cure.
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Upon the choppy waters each day
I glimpse upward at the clouds’ array
and wish that I might reach upward
to grasp your hand, June dear.
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As I continue to propel with my oars
I’ll eye the distant shore
and hum a favorite hymn
giving all praise and glory to Him.
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The day will come
when all my work will be done
then dear, I’ll reach above
for your hand, my lady love.
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My earthly pain will then pale
when I see through the veil
the brightness of your angel face
and beside you, take my place.
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Jackie Irving - Liverpool, United Kingdom - (6 September 2016): "This is such a beautiful and heartfelt poem ...it speaks the words we all want to say ...I just love it ...your friend is such a talented lady Stan ....you must feel very honored that she writes these especially for you and June ...I can imagine your joy to receive these gems from your friend ...god bless ."
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June's Passing
After an almost 12 year journey into the shadows of Alzheimer's, early one morning in late October 2008, an exhausted June felt God's gentle touch on her shoulder and heard the words: "Come Home June!" As June lay like a wounded soldier on a battlefield, it was God's Angels that ushered June into a Heavenly Kingdom to the sound of a chorus of Angels...and into June's new home, a "Mansion on the Hilltop", where there is no pain, nor illness nor tears...June's funeral notice as published in the Minneapolis Star in October 2008 can be seen on this website in the drop down menu under the "In Memoriam" label - just Click on:
"June K. (Rolstad) Berg - In Memoriam"