The Reason why I Woke Up

Verse 1

You didn’t talk about the universe,

you just lived with open hands.

Coffee in a quiet kitchen,

wisdom in the way you’d stand.

You would smile when life was heavy,

say, “This storm will pass on through,”

and I thought you were just calming me…

now I know you knew the truth.

Verse 2

You were grace in worn-out sneakers,

you were kindness in a chair,

you were patience at the table

when the world felt so unfair.

I was young and full of questions,

you were gentle, never loud,

you were planting seeds of waking

long before I said it out loud.

Pre-Chorus

Fifteen years since you went home,

but you still walk me through the night.

Every time my heart remembers,

I can feel your quiet light.

Chorus

You’re the man who woke my soul,

who taught me love is how we know

there’s something bigger moving

in the middle of it all.

You showed me how a simple life

can change the world with gentle eyes,

how grace, compassion, kindness

are the loudest kind of shout.

I miss you more than words can say,

but your love still leads the way.

Grandpa, you’re the man

who woke my soul.

Verse 3

Now I’m here, the one who’s older,

trying to be light for someone else,

writing songs about the journey,

about the healing that you helped.

Every time a heart is lifted,

every time a tear makes room,

I can hear you softly laughing,

saying, “Kid, that’s all you had to do.”

Pre-Chorus

You don’t need a crown or title

to be holy in this life,

you just need a heart like yours

to make the darkness feel less tight.

Chorus

You’re the man who woke my soul,

who showed me faith with no big show,

just the way you held your silence

and the way you held my hand.

You taught me real enlightenment

is to love the way you can,

to see God in every neighbor,

every sunrise, every chance.

I miss you more than words can say,

but your life still lights my way.

Grandpa, you’re the man

who woke my soul.

Bridge

If I ever live in a way

that would make your old heart proud,

it’ll be in quiet acts of mercy,

not just words said out loud.

You were proof that simple goodness

is the highest kind of art,

and the temple of your teaching

was the softness of your heart.

Final Chorus

So here’s my song to say “I see

the gift your whole life was to me.”

I’m awake because you chose to live

with grace in everything.

I’ll keep spreading love and healing,

like you did just being you,

and when people feel their souls wake up,

I’ll know that’s you shining through.

I miss you more than words can write,

but you’re with me in this light.

Grandpa, you’re the man

who woke my soul.

Outro

So until the day I see you

on whatever shore you’re on,

I’ll keep honoring your kindness

with the way I carry on.