I’m prefacing this review with a warning to have tissues handy. I’m not guaranteeing tears, but the story that goes with Matt Hammitt’s solo album début Every Falling Tear is so full of intermingled heartbreak and joy that it’s hard not to get emotional.
In April 2010, Sanctus Real frontman Matt Hammitt and his wife, Sarah, took along their 4-year-old to a doctor’s appointment where they were scheduled to have the ultrasound that would reveal if their family would be having a new baby brother or sister. “We found out it was a boy and we were all celebrating,” Matt recalls, “but the ultrasound tech isn’t allowed to tell you if something is wrong, so the doctor came in and told our family that things weren’t right, that half of his heart wasn’t developed. It was pretty grim news. They didn’t even think he would survive.”
Diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, Little Bowen, whose name means “Small Victorious One,” defied the odds and survived, but it hasn’t been an easy road for Matt and his family. “When we found out that Bowen was going to be born with half a heart, it started stirring up a lot of questions in me,” Matt admits. “I know there are some mysteries and questions that aren’t even meant for our minds to comprehend, but I just really started praying more, reading more and honestly seeking God for comfort in that time – and for as many answers as I could get. I started expressing all my questions, emotions and feelings through song almost right away.”
These songs became Every Falling Tear, a collection of songs full of the emotions of a someone facing every parent’s worst fear while depending on God’s love, comfort, and grace. For anyone facing a difficult or seemingly impossible situation in life this album is meant to uplift, encourage, and heal.
Before I let myself learn about Bowen’s story and the details about Every Falling Tear‘s conception I made sure to listen to the CD with no influence of what to expect and I can honestly say that Every Falling Tear had already become my new favorite CD. The lyrics and music are uplifting and soothing and I LOVE blasting it throughout the house while I’m home with the girls. If you want to hear some snippets of my favorite song from All of Me with Matt Hammitt sharing the origins of the song watch the below video. (This is my FAVORITE song from the album!)
This amazing story just gets more awe-inspiring when you learn that Matt and his wife have started the Whole Hearts Foundation, a non profit organization dedicated to helping families of children dealing with illness. “In addition to retail sales, we are selling the album at our [Sanctus Real] concerts and 100% of everything we make off that album is going to go directly to help families with children with life-threatening heart defects and disease,” Matt says. “We have this huge vision for the foundation.”
Matt Hammitt, Every Falling Tear :: $9.99
*I received product to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed are my own.*
