What Matters 32
3 years after my dad died of cancer, I had an incredibly life-like dream where I not only saw my dad, but encountered him in a way that changed my life. This song is a response to that encounter and dedicated to my dad, my best friend, and encourager until his last breath: Henk Boesten (1948 – 2008)
Download the song
Read more about the dream
What Matters (2011)
LYRICS:
When my father died
Something inside
Felt like a piece of me was torn out
I just can’t seem to find it again
Aching for the affirmation
But there’s silence and I’m left here without
CHORUS
I’m filled with emotion
I’m filled with the notion
That what matters — remains
I had a crazy dream
There in front of me
Just the way I remember him — my old man
Bright blue eyes staring right through
Everything I tried to hide he knew
(he said) “Son, don’t hide your face in your hands”
BRIDGE
Now that you know what you know
So much has been taken
How am I supposed to carry on
BEHIND THE CURTAIN FACTS:
Lead vocal track was actually the very first (and only) scratch track
Music video recorded in the actual spot where my dad’s ashes are buried
In “the Story” video, the audio you hear is the actual blessing my dad gave me in the hospital 1 week before he died
The instrumental portion after the bridge has an actual beer bottle solo in it. Watch it being played here.
CREDITS
A huge thank you to Jan Vozenilek (Copper Sky Productions) for believing in this story and generously donating his time & heart into this project. Please check out his other inspiring projects here: http://www.copperskyproductions.com/
Written by Nico Boesten along with Andrew Smith & Norm Strauss
Lead Vox, Acoustic Guitar: Nico Boesten
Fretless Bass: Brian Wiebe
Hammond: Malcolm Petch
Background Vocals & Beer bottle sound effect: Ari Neufeld
Pedal Steel: Graham Ord
Drums: Eric Funk
Electric Guitar: Andrew Smith
Camera and post production: Jan Vozenilek: http://www.copperskyproductions.com/
Jib operator: Paul Cotton
Photography: Kerby Gernander & Ingrid Boesten
PRESS
Kelowna Capital News
Shaw TV
Fuel Radio
TribeHouse
Elle Strauss
Sheri
December 18, 2011 @ 11:05 PM
Nico, this is so beautiful, what a precious gift to have this with your dad. Truly he has left a rich legacy which you are living out so well. Remain my friend, remain.
penny
December 19, 2011 @ 4:15 AM
Hi Nico – beautifully done. My dad died when I was 7. In my 40s, I had a dream that he came halfway down from heaven and I went halfway up. we sat on the window ledge of a building that was huge and made of stone – a bit like the parthenon. at the end of the visit, as we walked out, I told him i really liked him, and he said yes, i really like you too. we both laughed. we were friends. i asked him if we could meet again, but, he said this was a one time only possibility. closure.
Jan Fischer
December 19, 2011 @ 4:42 AM
very nice.
Dean
December 19, 2011 @ 6:11 AM
That was beautiful Nico. We are blessed to have had fathers who loved us so well. They are alive in us.
Mark Graves
December 19, 2011 @ 12:11 PM
Nico, a beautiful tribute to your Dad. Thank-you for sharing a very tender and memorable tribute to a man who literally altered and touched my life. I still miss his smile and his calm affirmation. God bless! Mark
Hannie
December 19, 2011 @ 3:18 PM
A very special dream…
And a very special song…
Thanks for sharing this and the way you are telling this story about the miracle off unconditional love.
Love you bro! Hannie
Arno Jordan
December 19, 2011 @ 4:49 PM
Hey Nico, what a beautifull song. Your Dad must have been a very special person. Great to hear you carying the heritage inside of your heart …
love & blessings, bro …
Arno
Joe Kelder
December 19, 2011 @ 5:07 PM
Hey, Nico, a pretty special piece of work for a very special friend and brother. Makes me long for heaven to see him again.
Blessings,
Joe
Tammy Huggan
December 19, 2011 @ 5:48 PM
I sobbed as I listened to you tell your story Nico…I know how much your Dad loved you and how proud of you he was…Whenever I would come home to Kelowna He would excitedly take me to that perfectly organized wall in the living room where he kept his music and couldn’t wait to show me what you were up to… he sent me away with your music and we listened on the long drive home…Alisha has since stolen it, but my Austin whom you’ve never met loved your music and would always choose it … your Dad made an impression on him one day in Jamies Pool…like only Henk can do…Austin is 15 now and plays guitar beautifully I’d love to introduce him to you some day…Blessings to you Beautiful Boy…much love Tammy
Norm Strauss
December 19, 2011 @ 7:10 PM
I miss Henk a lot. I still think about him quite often. He was a good friend for a long time and it feels different around here with him. He was so good at friendship. He took it very seriously and taught me a few things about generosity and honesty along the way. I am honored to be a small part of this song because it’s such an eloquent tribute to fatherhood and to friendship. Good job Nico. I imagine he is telling everyone about it up there right now too. He’s probably got another wall going up there with all pics and videos of his kids. He seems to still be talking to us too…even years after his passing.
Lisa Chamberlain
December 19, 2011 @ 9:16 PM
Just scraping my heart off the floor….feels good.
Bob Jennens
December 19, 2011 @ 9:31 PM
Nico your dad, Henky to me, walked with me through some very dark periods in my life when I felt completely hopeless. He never tried to give me answers, he gave me himself and we cried out to together and he helped me find Jesus there. He was “the friend who stuck closer than a brother” and I miss him.Thanks for sharing this with.
Tracy Qualls
December 20, 2011 @ 5:08 AM
I want to keep listening to this, it’s so beautiful and profound . affirmation from God is so awesome, I want to experience that more
What matters – moving song by Nico « blueporch blog
December 20, 2011 @ 3:11 PM
What matters – moving song by Nico « blueporch blog
Laura Montoya
December 20, 2011 @ 10:40 PM
Me hizo llorar!
Richard Hol
December 21, 2011 @ 4:04 AM
Nico: Thanks for sharing this message. I too miss Henk and think of him each time I go to read the bible and remove the book marker that you provided with his picture and purpose statement. There’s no doubt that you have your father’s and mother’s unique gifts, talents and ability to love, but above all you have the spirit of Christ that makes you the man that made your pappa proud.
What a cool tribute to include the friends and musicians that he loved to play with. May God strenghten your heart and show you how to develop your legacy for your family.
Blessings, Richard.
Gene (or Oof as your dad used to call me)
December 21, 2011 @ 6:47 PM
Very inspiring, Nico. Your dad was one of a kind. I will always cherish his determination to follow God no matter what. Even to the very end, his heart was for another. Too many times on our journeys we get too lost in left field and loose a focus that matters. Your contribution here nailed it. Your dad knew no bounds in expressing his gratitude for what Jesus had done for him. His life reflected in so many ways the reality of His presence. I too miss him.
John de Kleer
December 23, 2011 @ 1:47 AM
Thanks Nico for a beautiful song sung from the Heart. You’re carrying on the Legacy of your father Henk, who was a true musican and artist and man of God…carry on carryout the passion that is in you…John and Wil de Kleer
Rose Chalk
December 24, 2011 @ 8:04 PM
Hi Nico. I received this link through your mom who is so proud of you too. Oh wow, what can I say. How beautiful and touching. In a differnt way, I too had an amazing dream that turned my life around to follow God and to live differently. Many will be touched by your story and song. I am passing it on to my three sons. Keep on writing, singing and sharing your heart. Rose
Andre Lefebvre
December 26, 2011 @ 12:14 AM
Nico, thanks for the story and song… just beautiful… !
You ARE the legacy, be the legacy, shine the legacy… you’re a precious soul…
André
Henry van Manen
December 29, 2011 @ 3:34 AM
Thank you Nico.
Sweet sad and real
This makes me appriciate mijn pa even meer!
Terry-Lynn Dryfhout
December 29, 2011 @ 6:04 AM
Hello Nico…..you don’t know me but a friend passed on your song and mini-documentary. I knew your mom from my childhood days and my husband Ralph and I knew your dad and mom as a couple since the early 70’s…..I was part of the ensemble of The Great Hallell…not sure if your parents spoke of it. I understand your position; my husband died just weeks after your dad and the pain of such a loss is deep and not easily consoled. Like your family, we had time to say goodbye and for that we are so very grateful. Please pass on greetings to your mom from Terry-Lynn.
Ash
December 30, 2011 @ 1:32 AM
What a beautiful message, song and story. Amazing. I’ve shared this along…see you soon, Ash
Kerby Gernander
December 31, 2011 @ 2:04 AM
Nico,
Its so nice to hear your super voice again, so talented! I remember praying before taking your family photos asking God to help capture the essence of the relationship your family shared..who knew..Your documentary/song is a beautiful testimony of a sons love for his father and fathers love for his son. Your father was a such a unique guy. I enjoyed his sense of humor and use his phrase “enough of the religious bulls#@!” whenever I get the opportunity..Thanks for sharing the footage of your fathers words to you, what a gift! I miss all of you..Kerby
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Paola chuchoque
January 13, 2012 @ 11:26 PM
Wow speechless!!! This is wonderful I’ve watched it a few times now and it touches me in different ways every single time. I’ve shown a few others this is truly a blessing thank you for sharing such a special and personal experience. May God keep blessing you and your family day after day. Soo much talent and wisdom portrayed I always enjoyed the time spent around your family the presence of God was truly felt within. Thank you 🙂
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February 20, 2012 @ 7:53 AM
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November 28, 2012 @ 5:08 AM
[…] image. It’s of Nico Boesten and his Dad, just before his Dad died of cancer 3 years ago. Head over to Nico’s blog to hear the story and a song he wrote, and see the picture. When you get back consider this; is that embrace, that kiss in which sorrow and love flow minged […]
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Jacki Smith
March 3, 2019 @ 7:57 PM
Hey Nico, just heard your song “what matters” for the first time. Oh my goodness, so beautiful! Miss hearing you play from your days at Wellspring. Hope you and your family are happy and doing well.