The Things She Used to Do

Details
Title | The Things She Used to Do |
Author | Cielito Lindo |
Duration | 3:59 |
File Format | MP3 / MP4 |
Original URL | https://youtube.com/watch?v=taQgeCyjKuo |
Description
The Things She Used to Do
This song comes from my journey with my wife, who has since passed.
We had our dreams, our plans — adventures we thought we’d share. But life took a turn we never expected, and those plans changed. When illness began to take away the things she used to do, I found myself in a new role — a caregiver.
It wasn’t the road I’d imagined, but it became the most important journey of my life. I know many have or are walking a similar path, suddenly carrying the weight of care for someone they love. This song is for you — and for the love that adapts, endures, and gives all it can, even in the face of loss.
Key: A minor
Vocal: Warm and smooth male vocal
Tempo: 74 bpm (slow folk ballad)
Style: Fingerpicked acoustic guitar, warm bass, light harmonies, violin accompaniment
[Verse 1]
We had maps on the table,
Corners curled from years of dreamin’.
Talked about Paris in the spring,
Alaska when the snow was gleamin’.
But the road turned quiet,
Like a song that fades from view…
When she could no longer do the things she used to do.
[Chorus]
So I made a brand-new plan,
Not the one I’d carried all my life.
Now it’s coffee in the mornin’,
And keepin’ her warm through the night.
Every dream I’m lettin’ go
Brings a truer one in view…
To make her comfort my new plan, and see that promise through.
[Verse 2]
I’ve learned patience in the silence,
Kindness when the days turn heavy.
Humility in askin’ for help,
Grace when the ground feels unsteady.
It’s not the life we pictured,
But it’s the one I’ll walk her through…
When she can no longer do the things she used to do.
[Bridge]
And maybe love is less about
The miles we’ve yet to roam,
And more about the tender way
We make each other home.
[Chorus - Repeat]
So I made a brand-new plan,
Not the one I’d carried all my life.
Now it’s coffee in the mornin’,
And keepin’ her warm through the night.
Every dream I’m lettin’ go
Brings a truer one in view…
To make her comfort my new plan, and see that promise through.
[Outro]
The world’s still wide and beautiful,
But I’ve found my place in you…
When you can no longer do the things you used to do.
Lyrics, arrangement, and production © 2025 James M Sims. All Rights Reserved.
About James
James brings nearly five decades of professional experience as a technology and strategy executive in industries including food and beverage manufacturing, grocery retail and distribution, worldwide augmentative staffing, heavy construction, home building, structural engineering, transportation, and healthcare. His creative pursuits have been equally diverse, spanning a career as a black-and-white fine art photographer, furniture designer and builder, custom Stratocaster guitar craftsman, culinary content creator, and digital marketing professional.
Following a 14-year journey caring for his late wife, who lived with early-onset Alzheimer’s, James discovered his purpose for this stage of life as a senior care advocate and journalist. His mission is to create meaningful content for caregivers and their families—through long-form and op-ed articles, photography, videos, and songs—offering insight, support, and a voice for those navigating the challenges of care.
James Sims
https://cielitolindoseniorliving.com/
James@CielitoLindoSeniorLiving.com
1.888.406.7990