What Remains came to life on a snowy New Year’s morning as I was returning home to Boston from a gig in New Hampshire. My wife and I were nearly three years into the process of helping our four-year-old son overcome the effects of autism. As with most parents in our situation, we were wiped out, emotionally, financially, and physically.

Somewhere during that drive, a song came to me. It was a confession of sorts to my son, telling him how I wish things could have been different, how I wish I could have done more for him. How if I had more time, more money, more influence, that things might have been better. That song eventually became 'All the Money in the World' and was the first step in a long personal journey to get to the heart of what it means to raise a child with autism.

Over the ensuing 18 months—primarily at night after our son was in bed—I wrote the songs contained in What Remains. Each song tells a story; some are from my own experience, some are interpretations of stories I’ve heard from other parents. The common theme is that of people facing, dealing with, and coming to terms with traumatic circumstances. In the end, it was a therapeutic experience, one that forced me to think deeply about myself, my family, the life that was thrust upon us, and our response to it.

I dedicate What Remains to the parents who are fighting the good fight every day to give their special children a chance in this world. They fight insurance companies that will not pay for critical therapy, school systems that blithely ignore federal laws while providing inadequate services, and a bevy of carpetbaggers who exploit their desperation to find a cure in order to make a fast buck. They are often abandoned by family and friends and judged by those who know nothing of their struggle. They give up their homes, retirement savings, and any other assets to move their children as far as they can into this world. Yet despite all this, they are some of the kindest, most generous people I’ve ever known. You will rarely find people as courageous.

I hope you enjoy What Remains. Feel free to send feedback or just drop a line.

Jamie Manning