"I lost my oldest son 8 months ago at the age 37. I have been in a very dark place and my husband played this song for me I cried so hard hearing this song. I have been playing this song ever since hearing it. For everyone that is hurting i hope you find the strength to keep living your life. thanks to my husband and REM for helping my realize life is worth living."
"I'm 60 yrs. old, I came across this song the night my granddaughter received a heart transplant. My granddaughter was born with congenital heart syndrome, which meant breathing was always a problem. She celebrated her 1st anniversary with her new Heart on May 28,2019. She’s now twelve years old, l will forever be grateful to the donor,s family for sharing their Love One with us and for giving my Granddaughter a new life .To this day I still cry for the donor, whose young life ended unexpectedly, and for the family who blessed my granddaughter . I thank God for every day he gives her. Life before her transplant was very different from now. I pray, that “my granddaughter never forgets her donor, whose life came to end in order for her to have a better quality of life, and that the Donors family gave unselfishly for others to have life. “When Life gives you a hundred reasons to cry, Show Life you have a thousand reasons to Smile.” Peace be with you. Gael (grandfather)"
"REM saved so many lives with this song including mine. People think it's a song of sadness but it's a song of strength and seeing the next sunrise. ♡"
"I’m 71 yrs old and just heard this incredible song for the first time a few weeks ago. And now reading all these heartbreaking and compassionate comments. My God. Tears rolling down my cheeks. Much of the time, I have such little faith in humanity. Then I read what many of you have written makes me feel such connection. Love to you all. Thank you."
"My dad introduced me to REM. He died April 23rd 2024 from pancreatic cancer. I love you and miss you, Dad. I'll never stop hurting."
"Sitting here numb. Mom passed away this past Saturday. I'm now the last one standing in my family. Dad's gone, my brother and sister have passed. Thank God for my wife and kids. Absolutely lost right now. This song somehow picks me up when I'm down."
"As someone with Asperger's Syndrome who has battled severe depression, frustration, stress and bitterness for most of my life, I am grateful to REM for this masterpiece. I have wanted to take my life so often. I always struggled to fit in with others and ended up fighting a lot. People simply never understood me. I have to remain for the sake of my loved ones and family yet that doesn't make the road any easier. I am still uncertain about my future and where to go. I also listen to the song any time I experience deep depression and bitterness. Helps every time. At least, I have my guardian angels and spirit guides to walk the road with me no matter what direction my life will take"
"My dear son died yesterday morning. With out this song I would be insane. The words have helped me ,HOLD ON. Thank you REM for this wonderfully meaningful song of encouraging words."
"This song helped me and my son. He was a combat medic and came home all messed up in the head and highly suicidal. Thanks to training from the VA on how to help him and THIS SONG , got him to see the light at the end of the long dark tunnel he was in!! took 8 years but now he is a RN and his specialty is mental health, he now works with teens stuck in that dark tunnel from parental abuse!"
"My husband was dying of cancer and our kids were only 6 & 10. I used to go down to the basement in the middle of the night while everyone was asleep and listen to this again and again while I howled out my grief. Sounds daft being grateful for a song but I am. It was such a comfort."
"As a person who suffers from depression, this song actually lifts me up. Everybody hurts. Sometimes everything is wrong. But hold on."