Survivor

My English 102 final exam

Survivor

            The song, “I’m A Survivor” by Reba McEntire, (White)

is my personal theme song. The theme of the song is surviving no matter the odds that stand in your way. A woman doesn’t need a man in her life to be able to take care of herself and her family. It says that the idea that being strong and never backing down is the best thing that a woman can do.

            I still remember the first time I heard this song. It spoke to me in ways that few things have ever been able to. I immediately went out to find, and buy the C.D. I take strength from the words, knowing that I have a one hundred percent success rate of surviving the bad things that have happened in my life. Because, I am a survivor.

            “I was born 3 months too early, The doctor gave me 30 days.” I should have been born early. Just like the woman in the song, I shouldn’t have lived. My mother had contractions with me for six months before I was actually born. She was on total bed rest for that entire time. I was stubborn and raring to go from the womb.

“But I must of had my momma's will, and God's amazing grace.” My mother is one of the most stubborn people on the planet. Through sheer force of will, and a little help from God, she was able to keep me alive, while taking care of a 4 year old and a 2 year old while my dad worked. I learned my never say die attitude from her.

“I guess I'll keep on livin', even if this love to die for.” There isn’t anything onr anyone that can make me give up on life. I have been in some terrible, hopeless situations but I will keep living. I have a love for my son that makes me get out of bed every morning. No matter how bad things get, or how badly I want to die, he is worth living for.

“Cause your bags are packed and I ain't crying, you walking out and I'm not trying to change your mind, cause I was born to be...”  If you feel it is necessary to walk out of my life I am not going to beg you to stay. If you want to fight for what we have, I will fight to my dying breath, but I will not cry over your leaving.

“The baby girl without a chance, a victim of the circumstance.” From the moment of my birth I have had to fight an uphill battle. Every bad thing I have ever been concerned about has happened. I shouldn’t have survived the circumstances of my birth, I should have died later on in life, and I refuse to give up even in the face of circumstance.

“The one who oughta give up, but she's just too hard headed.” Everyone who knows me knows that I am too stubborn and bull headed to give up on anything. The things in the world that are worthwhile are worth fighting for. The struggle will be hard and I may not succeed but I will never give up the fight.

“A single mom who works two jobs, who loves her kids and never stops.” I work two or more jobs. I go to school full time. I am always making sacrifices for my son. Everything that I do, every decision that I make, is for the greater good of his life. Those decisions are usually hard and heart breaking but they are worth it.

“With gentle hands and a heart of a fighter, I'm a survivor” These lines really say it all. I take care of everyone else, with gentle hands. I have the heart of a fighter. I never, ever give up no matter the odds. The title of the song really says it all. I’m a survivor and nothing will ever stop me.

“I don't believe in self-pity, it only brings you down.” This is so true, self pity doesn’t get you anywhere but in a pit. Take your moment, cry it out, then pull your big girl panties on and go on with life. The world isn’t going to stop turning just because bad things have happened in your life.

“May be the queen of broken hearts, but I don't hide behind the crown.” I should have probably given up on love a long time ago. The people with the biggest hearts are always the ones who get hurt the most. But, building up a wall around your heart hurts no one but  yourself. Take the risk, love hard, get hurt, and try again. The risk is worth the reward.

“When the deck is stacked against me, I just play a different game” You have to roll with the punches. Life is hard, it will come at you fast. You have to learn to bob and weave, sometimes you have to take the hits on the chin and keep fighting. Keep your head down and keep going until you get to the other side.

“My roots are planted in the past, and though my life is changing' fast, who I am is who I wanna be.” I use my past to remember who I am and where I have come from. I may not be the best person I can be, but I am content with the person that I am. That person is a survivor and no matter what life throws at me, I know I can survive it.

This song is an anthem for women. It says that life is rough, but you are stronger than you can even imagine. Take strength in knowing that no matter what, no matter how hard things seem at the time, you will come out alive, better, and stronger on the other side. You have the strength to carry on. When you need a reminder just say, “I’m a survivor.”

Bibliography

White, Philip Brian. azlyrics.com. 2000-2013. Web. 10 December 2013.