The Empty Chair by Andrew Chinn, with Eleanor Chinn, for those we have lost but carry always in our heart.

(The) Empty Chair by Andrew Chinn with Eleanor Chinn (Loss of a child or grandparent, All Souls' Day)

Many know that we lost our daughter Belinda to cancer on February 16, 2000. She was 15.

Her life and death shaped us all. I often find myself looking round and seeing the world through her eyes. The wonder of a car that keeps you in a lane, a phone that you can watch your favourite sport or movie on demand, a zoom call to a friend overseas. Sometimes at a family gathering I'll take a quiet moment to look around the room and think of all those there who never had the joy of knowing Belinda.

In my travels I've shared Belinda's story with some and have found fellow travelers along the road. People who share the profound grief of losing a child. We've shared our stories and become bonded in some deep way.

This year, 2025, I lost two friends to Parkinson's within a week, Michael and Graham, two friends from my younger teaching days. I lost my friend Barry suddenly in 2021, and my best man and friend Bobby, in 2017- both to heart attacks. These were big, generous characters, who lived full lives and filled the lives of their family and friends.

In recent years I've been MC at weddings or asked to say a blessing of sorts before a meal. I've taken that opportunity to make a toast to "The Empty Chair". I put a chair in front of me and ask those gathered to silently remember and be thankful for those not with us who have shaped our lives and particularly the lives of those getting married.

In 2024 we were heading to the wedding of Bridget Masters, daughter of my great mate Gus and his wife Anna. Gus and Anna suffered the loss of a child many years ago. Aware of that, and that fact that all of Bridget's grandparents had died before her wedding day, I wrote "The Empty Chair".

In the recording I relied on my great friend and musical brother, Drew Lane, to create a "late night in the Irish pub" feel. It was a joy to sing with my youngest daughter Eleanor on the song- she carries the gift of voice forward from Belinda. And my eldest, Kylie, helped with the video shoot.

Thanks to all those who shared stories with me over the years and photos of their loved ones that appear in this video.