jaylopez

I love music.

Ever since I was a little kid I could sing and dance to every song on the Earth, Wind, and Fire greatest hits record. I would dance whenever Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder was played even if it was a jukebox in a crowded restaurant. And no matter the time of night, when Barney Miller’s theme song started my mother said I would come running from my room in my PJ’s to dance to the song in front of the TV.

I love playing it, listening to it, and even writing it sometimes. When I was a kid I played the trumpet. In Junior High learned percussion which I played throughout high school and in my 20’s I learned to play guitar. Lots of music always playing around my home and car. I love it.

So I was thinking it would be cool to have a theme song. A diabetes theme song. Something playing wherever I go.

I think my diabetes theme song would be “I’m Only Human” by Billy Joel. Read the lyrics, I think you will agree they apply to the life of a PWD pretty well.

You're having a hard time and lately you don't feel so good
You're getting a bad reputation in your neighborhood
It's alright, it's alright, sometimes that's what it takes
You're only human, you're allowed to make your share of mistakes

You better believe there will be times in your life
When you'll be feeling like a stumbling fool
So take it from me you'll learn more from your accidents
Than anything that you could ever learn at school

Don't forget your second wind
Sooner or later you'll get your second wind

It's not always easy to be living in this world of pain
You're gonna be crashing into stone walls again and again
It's alright, it's alright, though you feel your heart break
You're only human, you're gonna have to deal with heartache

Just like a boxer in a title fight
You got to walk in that ring all alone
You're not the only one who's made mistakes
But they're the only thing that you can truly call your own

Don't forget your second wind
Wait in that corner until that breeze blows in

You've been keeping to yourself these days
Cause you're thinking everything's gone wrong
Sometimes you just want to lay down and die
That emotion can be so strong
But hold on 'till that old second wind comes along

You probably don't want to hear advice from someone else
But I wouldn't be telling you if I hadn't been there myself
It's alright, it's alright, sometimes that's all it takes
We're only human, we're supposed to make mistakes

But I survived all those long lonely days
When it seemed I did not have a friend
Cause all I needed was a little faith
So I could catch my breath and face the world again

Music has a way of changing my mood. I can be down and a song can raise my spirit. There are times when I am really happy and a song can bring me to tears.

This song empowers me. It allows me the room I need to stumble. It makes me want to get up, dust myself off, and take each mistake I make and let it go. It is not easy but these words really speak to me.

Do you have a song you would choose to be your Diabetes Theme song? Let me know.