“Our song writing journey has been the most wonderful, cathartic, sensitive and uplifting experience. We have laughed and we have cried – and now we have a part of Meg with us forever.” Blog by Val Jackson.

 

Hi, my name is Val. On 3rd October 2025, my precious – and only – daughter, Meg, died only 3 months after being diagnosed with bowel cancer. Her diagnosis came as a complete shock to us. Although she had suffered with Ulcerative Colitis for a number of years, she had never felt better and was out walking and running the hills around where we live, training to do a 100km ultra challenge. Meg was only 31 years of age, with so many plans for her life ahead of her.

 

 

Meg was beautiful, courageous, warm, loving, kind, gentle and caring ….truly one of a kind. She had a determination to make the most of every moment and will always remain a bright light in our lives. She taught us all so much about what it is to be kind and to give everyone a chance. To us Meg will always be inspirational.

In the early days after losing Meg, I came across a Facebook post about the Swan Song Project and how they help people write a song in memory of their loved ones. Meg loved music, so I decided to fill in the form to find out more…. and it all unfolded from there, in the most amazing manner. After an initial call from Ben, the founder of the charity, who explained how they could help … I was then put in touch with our songwriter, Ric Neale. It was at that point that I decided to involve one of Meg’s friends, Becky. It was a friendship that had developed when Becky was Meg’s singing and dance teacher… and lessons slowly became more of a chat about what was going on in their lives and eventually the most beautiful of friendships.

Becky and I met with Ric several times over Zoom. He was the perfect match for us … he ‘got’ Meg right from the start. We agreed with Ric that we would create an uplifting song that reflected Meg’s outgoing personality and her determination to keep on going even when life got tough. Through our chats – and photos and information I sent to Ric – he was able to perfectly capture Meg through what he called her ‘Meganisms’ (things that we hold dear in
our memories about what she used to say or do). Ric was always positive and upbeat in our meetings, but at the same time sensitive to our grief and vulnerability. Before we knew it the chorus of ‘Brightest Star’ was born .. a wonderful mix of us in conversation with Meg.

Then it was deep breath time, when Ric gently suggested to us that we include a clip of Meg speaking at the start of her song. I am so glad we said yes – it means so much to hear her voice. Two verses and a middle section followed, expertly crafted by Ric – and ‘Brightest Star’ was complete. Amazing! Throughout Ric was keen to check in with us that he had got the tone and the words right for Meg – but we only changed two words throughout the whole
process.

On to recording Meg’s song, with an invitation for 6 or 8 of us to take a road trip to the Swan Song’s recording studios In Leeds. Meg’s closest friends (Lizzie, Lauren, Hannah and Sarah), my sister Carol and my stepdaughter Sarah immediately said yes. What a day it was! We were able to listen to Becky, with her gorgeous voice, record the main vocals. I am forever thankful to her for the beautiful gift she has given us all by doing this – a big ask whilst still grieving. Then the fun began as the rest of us became the backing vocals, despite a total lack of musical ability. We clapped, sang and cheered our way through as instructed by Ric. Meg would have loved it – she was right there with us.

Finally, it was over to Ric to piece everything together and add the instrumentals. When he sent us the final recording a few days later, we were completely blown away by what we heard. We are so very proud of what we have created in celebration of Meg’s life… and believe that she would be too. I can take her with me now wherever I go … mostly out walking the countryside and hills that Meg so loved to walk and run herself.
I cannot thank The Swan Song Project – and Ric and Ben in particular – enough for what they have done for us. Our song writing journey has been the most wonderful, cathartic, sensitive and uplifting experience. We have laughed and we have cried – and now we have a part of Meg with us forever.

If you are looking for a way to create a lasting memory of your loved one, The Swan Song Project are there to help. They are the most wonderful charity who will help and support you whether or not you have any a musical experience. I am so pleased to continue to be associated with them.

Listen to “Brightest Star” here