A Promise in the Stars - Send An Arrow
- Elliott Jack Sansom
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Welcome back to my blog! If you’re still here and following, thank you from the bottom of my heart. The love I’ve received so far has been incredible, and I’m truly touched by it all. I can’t wait to share the full album coming to you on the 25/04/25 (pre-save it here).
This Friday marked the release of my fourth and final single from Night Light, titled Send an Arrow. This track is especially close to my heart, and I want to dedicate it to my dearest Nannie, Brenda, who sadly passed away on the 13th of September 2023, at the grand age of 92.
The connection I had with my Nannie was something truly special. She wasn’t just a grandmother to me; she was a guiding light. She shared the gift of music with me, taught me resilience, and, despite a life of tragic loss (losing her daughter to Wilms’ tumour at the age of six), she always managed to bring a smile to everyone around her.
In the weeks before her passing, Nannie became very ill, and it was heart-breaking to watch for all of the family. Only a few months before passing, she was still dancing, playing the piano, baking, going on holidays, and living life to the fullest. We thought she would live to be over 100. But illness (the dreaded C), took her quickly. While it was devastating, I’m grateful it was a swift decline, sparing her from a long, drawn - out battle.
I’ll never forget visiting Nannie in the hospital during her final days. Katie was literally about to pop - ready to give birth - and Nannie was lying on her deathbed. It was the most poignant moment: the extremes of life and death, right before our eyes. We were emotionally exhausted and uncertain of how to feel. But Katie insisted on coming with me, and it felt like the right thing to do.
When we arrived at the hospital, despite how unwell she was, Nannie still smiled. She was thrilled to see us, and my mom played some early drafts of Night Light for her. I couldn’t help but burst into tears seeing her in such a fragile state. I remember her placing her hand on Katie’s bump, looking us both in the eyes, and saying, “I’ll send an arrow for Alfie.”
She frequently used that phrase to mean "I'll send a prayer."” And in that moment, I knew it was her way of saying goodbye. It was her final blessing for Alfie, a prayer and promise to watch over him. In the weeks leading up to that, she’d often ask, “Any signs of Alfie yet?” She couldn’t wait to meet him. That memory will stay with me forever.
Nannie Brenda passed away on September 13th, 2023, and Alfie was born just 12 days later, on September 25th. The fact that Alfie was with us in spirit as we said goodbye to Nannie is something I hold close. In a way, I feel like she’s always with us - through music, through the grandsons, and through the love and memories she left behind.
Send an Arrow isn’t just about loss. It’s about continuity - how love and blessings travel through generations, even when we’re not physically together. I hope this song resonates with you, whether you’ve experienced loss or simply believe in the enduring power of love.
Thank you for taking the time to read, and for listening.
❤️❤️❤️