Song Review: Cancer Awareness Month (Breast Cancer) is October (NBCAM ) but breast cancer is not the only cancer around, nor is it the only one with a success story.
The song ''Keepin' The Faith'' written and sung by Rick Tippe is about a survivor of Kidney cancer. Yet the song could encourage all, when it comes to dealing with deadly diseases and how to keep faith throughout the ordeal (both for the individual, their family and friends). The title words are repeated throughout the song, for added encouragement. The line ''Yesterday is History... Tomorrow in a Mystery'' is so true. You can't change the diagnosis, once found (although prevention IS the key) and the outcome really is a mystery (many have survived even with the smallest of odds).
The song goes on in the chorus, ''today's a gift, that's why it's called the present'' Do we really feel that way about our life? Do we appreciate what we have within ourselves or even within our family, friends and surroundings? Most don't, leaving the thought of a great lose when facing a diagnosis. I see this comment, ''heaven can wait'', as simple as death can wait, if only for a brief time.
Thinking positive about the cancer, treatment and outcome, is important and moving on with that same positive attitude is needed. My best friend lost her life to brain cancer at the age of 29. She was told she would live at the most 3 month and even that would be reduced to inactivity after a few weeks (as it was in the last stages when found). She kept her faith, fought a positive fight and lived 11 months. The important thing here was she never gave up, she only stopped going out of the house the last 2 weeks. She would sing at Sunday services (making all around her cry over her strength not out of pity or sorrow). She had 3 children and was as involved as she could be. She died at home in her sleep, she had said her good-byes.
The line ''she wonders how she will tell the family'', this statement to me is the hardest as, how do you tell your loved ones about the dreaded untouchable word cancer. Yet many are surprised how important this step is.
I worked for a man who discovered he had cancer and retired early from an auto factory and also sold his family store. He never told the family about the cancer, not even his wife. He purchased a new retirement home for the wife and son still at home. Purchased a new car and invested the rest of his money. He left them very well taken care of but he also left them very angry for not telling them he would be leaving them at the age of 55. They never got to feel apart of his pain, never got to prepare for the inevitable. How unfair his thinking was, even if his intentions were good.
Next, ''husband says he married for better or worse'', this line is true in most cases although the odd person has left due to not being able to handle sickness. To me a person who leaves, never truly loved in the first place, but that is only my personal feelings. ''As long as you can keep the faith, hoping love will lead the way...to a new beginning'' always think positive. I'll leave the song with this line, ''8 years have come and gone and Norma's doing fine ... now she's helping others''.
Song: Keepin' The Faith
Singer/Songwriter: Rick Tippe
Album: The Best of Rick Tippe
Singer's background: Rick was born in British Columbia, Canada in 1958. His father was a well known DJ in the area. His dad also played fiddle in his own band so, Rick seems to come by his musical ability, naturally. Rick learned to play guitar at a young age but never really saw himself going into the music business. After graduating from high school he set off to work in a sawmill. He likes to write his own style of music.
The Story Behind The Song -Quote from Rick himself ''In late 1998 I was asked to write the most important song of my career. A friend of mine, Linedance Choreographer/Instructor Debora Jarvis-Crew, asked me to write a song for her so she could choreograph a Linedance for Cancer Survivors''.
He dedicated the song to Norma Curzon-Downes(whom the song was inspired) and another Canadian Hero, Terry Fox.
$3.25 from the sale of this CD single will also be donated to the CCS. The CD single will only be available thru the Cornerstone or by calling Moon Tan Music toll free 1-88-88-GET HOT, $2.00 from the full album will be donated.
New Country differs from the old twang of days past. Instead of losing everything from the house, your dog, and wife, country music is now starting to look on the up side of life. Positive lyrics can be found like this song about surviving cancer.
- Thank You! We appreciate your effort.
