Today I'm ribbistrating! What does that mean? To ribbistrate means to rejoice, celebrate, be genuinely happy for yourself and others.
Yesterday as I arrived at the Infusion Center, waiting to be called in to do that last chemo infusion, I received a text with an amazing video attached. My family had contacted my piano students and asked them to learn as much or little of my fight anthem, Underdog, by Alicia Keys, as they could and send in a video which would be spliced and diced into a montage to help me celebrate. I burst into tears and watched it over and over again while I sat in the chair attached to the IV pole. Here it is
What does the song "Underdog" mean to mean? Many people are fighting everyday of their lives to survive, to work under difficult conditions, to fight disease and disabilities. When we look them in the eyes and acknowledge them as human beings like us we hold them up. We give them courage to say, "Someday I will rise up, rise up. Here is Alicia Keys singing and playing the song so you can appreciate why I play this video many times.
She was walking in the street, looked up and noticed
He was nameless, he was homeless
She asked him his name and told him what hers was
He gave her a story 'bout a life
With a glint in his eye and a corner of a smile
One conversation, a simple moment
The things that change us if we notice
When we look up, sometimes
They said I would never make it
But I was built to break the mold
The only dream that I've been chasing is my own
So I sing a song for the hustlers trading at the bus stop
Single mothers waiting on a check to come
Young teachers, student doctors
(Cancer patients)
Sons on the frontline knowing they don't get to run
This goes out to the underdog
Keep on keeping at what you love
You'll find that someday soon enough
You will rise up, rise up,…
My thanks to my family and friends who were with me there in spirit. I will rise up.
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