Then I remembered that last week Maggie was telling me about a new song from Rascal Flatts that was about a young girl with cancer. She's terrified from the time she gets the news from her doctor with her parents at her side until the time she starts chemotherapy. She loses her hair and it is devestating, and all she wants is to go dancing at the prom with her first true love - but boys don't take a sick, bald girl to the prom. But that's what she thinks about when she's most scared, dancing with her first true love.
I have the album it's on, but I didn't want to listen to the song yet as I knew it would just wreck me. I felt like I owed it to this little girl to listen to the song that so clearly was inspired by her, so I did. That was close to two hours ago and I have not been able to stop bawling my eyes out since. I'm talking heaving sobs, too. I cannot help but think of everyone I've either lost or missed in one respect or another. Friends I see rarely, friends and family I've been cheated out of by death.
This is one of the most poignant, heartbreakingly beautiful songs I've ever heard. I cannot find any information at all about the girl who inspired the song, so if any of you comes across it I would like to know more about her, in particular if she's in remission. Until then, here's the song - give it a listen and honor this beautiful little girl. I'm going to go cut my own goddamned throat now....
Rascal Flatts - Skin (Sarabeth)
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Sara Beth is scared to death
To hear what the doctor will say
She hasn't been well, since the day that she fell
And the bruise just won't go away
So she sits and she waits with her mother and dad
And flips through an old magazine
Till the nurse with the smile stands in the door
And says will you please come with me
Sara Beth is scared to death
Cause the doctor just told her the news
Between the red cells and white, something's not right
But we're gonna take care of you
Six chances in ten, it won't come back again
With the therapy we're gonna try
It's just been approved, it's the strongest there is
And I think that we caught it in time
And Sara Beth closes her eyes.
Chorus:
And she dreams she's dancing
Around and around without any cares
And her very first love is holding her close
And a soft wind is blowing her hair
Sara Beth is scared to death
As she sits holding her mom
Cause it would be a mistake for someone to take
A girl with no hair to the prom
For just this morning, right here on her pillow
Was the cruelest of any surprise
And she cried when she gathered it all in her hands
The proof that she couldn't deny
And Sara Beth closes her eyes
Chorus:
And she dreams she's dancing
Around and around without any cares
And her very first love is holding her close
And a soft wind is blowing her hair
Bridge
It's quarter to seven, that boy's at the door
And her daddy ushers him in
And when he takes off his cap
They all start to cry
Cause this morning where his hair had all been
Softly she touches just skin
And they go dancing, around and around
Without any cares
And her very first true love is holding her close
And for a moment she isn't scared
