Survive

I love my family and the friends that are a part of my everyday life, and I know you do too. They give us so much of what we need to face the world each day. But even so, all of us have other people in our lives that make life "doable." You know the ones I am talking about. The people who call us, text us, email us and pray for us even when we we seldom see them face to face. And sometimes....just sometimes...that's still not enough. We feel an overwhelming need to see them, to watch them laugh, to lock eyes with them and know that we are loved and let them know that we love them. These are the people who help us survive the ups and downs of daily living.

In 1979 Jimmy Buffett wrote a song called Survive for his album Volcano that has always been one of my favorites. In it he writes of being on the road but knowing that staying in touch with someone special helps him hold on to his sanity. He also expresses a passionate need to see the person again, face to face, even though he knows he will be leaving again soon.  Many of you know that I have been chomping at the bit to be able to see old friends and share hugs with so many people I have not seen in a long time. Part of that desire comes from a need to express to them how much they mean to me and how crucial their love and support have been over the last years while I was seeking to simply survive. This song is for you. It's not a hug- but it'll have to do until "I see you again..."

I play the stereo loud
When I'm away from the maddening crowd
Smokin', jokin', clowns we all are

Sometimes I kinda get real ill
When I receive my monthly telephone bill
But you say it and I'll pay it
`Cause it helps me to

[Chorus:]
Survive stay alive
'Til I see you again
Survive stay alive
Can't say where it ends

Clouds lift and there are mountains below
Been a while since I've seen any snow
Chillin' so thrillin' so good to be back

Feels nice to be home for a while
Let's sip champagne til we break into smiles
We'll go dancin' romancin'
`Cause your the reason I
Survived stayed alive
Through the thick and the thin
Survive stay alive
When will it all end

But my bags ain't unpacked
`Cause I've got to go back and play
But I know we'll both

Survive stay alive
Through the thick and the thin
Survive stay alive
Until it all ends

Survive stay alive
When will it all end
Survive stay alive
Till I see you again