"You Can't Lose Me"

A little girl, a little small for her age
A little too slow for the field day race
Momma's waiting at the finish line
And wipes the teardrops from her eyes
She says, "You did just fine honey, that's okay
"Sometimes life's just that way
"You're gonna lose the race from time to time
"But you're always gonna find

"You can't lose me
"Bet your life
"I am here and I will always be
"Just a wish away
"Wherever you go
"No matter how far
"My love is where you are
"You won't be lost if you believe
"You can't lose me"

Momma use to say "Girl it won't be long
'"Til it's time to go out on your own
"Chase your dreams find your place in life
"I know you'll do just fine"
When that day finally came
There were things she needed to but could not say
So I whispered softly as I wiped
The tears from Momma's eyes

"You can't lose me
"Bet your life
"I am here and I will always be
"Just a wish away
"Wherever I go
"No matter how far
"My love is where you are
"You won't be lost if you believe
"You can't lose me"

When I attended St. Mary's on the Hill Catholic School, every May we had field day at the high school. In first and second grade, I only one ribbon - a pity third place tie ribbon in the relay race. Third grade was a little more different. Yeah, I got the third place tie ribbon in the relay race. I walked away with another ribbon that day, too.

It was the potato race. I could have sworn that I had placed second in the race. Imagine how disappointed I was to see the red ribbon that meant so much to me at the time go to the redheaded Melissa! I was upset. Next thing I know, Vic's mother comes up to me and taps me on the shoulder. She asked me my name. Next thing I knew, I was being pinned with a blue ribbon. Yes, a BLUE RIBBON! I had won the potato race.

After that event, my class was walking to another event. We walked by the bleachers, where the parents were observing if they weren't assisting. As we walked by, I heard a big holler and bleachers shaking. It was Momma. She was elated to see the ribbon on me. She knew all I ever wanted at that age was a non-pity third place tie ribbon from the relay race. I know she was more elated over the win than I was.

You see, the beginning of this song, actually the whole song, describes perfectly a part of our relationship. Not only was she my mother, she was my best friend. And I was hers. The field day lines mirror those days at St. Mary's. I was the smallest girl, and I really didn't win anything. She would make me fell better after the yearly defeat. Later in life, when I was scared, she was try to flush the fears from me. I am glad I didn't go to Georgia Tech, nor moved out. I know I need my own life, but time spent on those activities were spent with her instead.

This picture I posted is one I took earlier this year. It's my parents with their baby, Gizmo. They raised that cat together.

Oh God, I'm going to miss her. Tomorrow is going to be the hardest day for me. Actually, it's hard knowing the story of the night before I was born. My mother said she was dining at Shoney's; she thought she had gas. She was in labor and had me earlier in the morning on December 7, 1978. Oh God…

[♪ Listening to: "You Can't Lose Me" - Faith Hill]

Posted by Shawn at December 6, 2005 8:04 PM in Memories.