Son Pens Song About His Mother's Struggle With Cancer
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - Jack Ohmes wrote a song about his mom's experience with colon cancer, and he's hoping his music will help other families heal.
"I spent a lot of time up in my room, just writing words on the yellow legal pad," he said.
Behind every song, there's a story, and for Ohmes, his story comes from a time of confusion, grief and hope.
"I just wrote it in the mindset of a kid who doesn't really know what's happening," he said.
Ohmes was in second grade when his mom, Angie, was diagnosed with colon cancer. She was in and out of the hospital for a year getting chemotherapy.
"I obviously remember her being super sick, and she just laid on the couch for basically 10 months," he said.
Years later, after she recovered, Ohmes was given an assignment to write about an important time in his life.
He came up with the song, "Stay With Me."
He first performed it at a bar, where he dedicated it to a special woman in the audience--his mom.
"He got up and said, 'I wrote this song for my mom when she had cancer,' and I had no idea," she said. "I was shocked."
Ohmes decided to share his song--and story--with more people.
He's released the song on iTunes, and all of the money raised will benefit Gilda's Club Twin Cities. The organization helps families affected by cancer.
"I love it," Ohmes's mother said. "I think about what I went through and it's just so good to give back and help other people."
Ohmes hopes his song will help give other families a happy ending to their story.
"I know I wanted to help and be part of other people's lives," he said. "She's so proud of me for everything."