Rise

All I’m posting today is a song. It’s The Decemberists’ Rise To Me, and it struck a chord with me from the moment I first heard it. When I later learned it was about lead singer Colin Meloy’s autistic son, I realised why.

In a few short, simple, defiant lines, it somehow manages to encapsulate the emotions I feel as the parent of a disabled child: my melancholy at what could have been, my pride in what is; and my hope for what could be.

Big mountain, wide river, there's an ancient pull
These tree trunks, these stream beds, leave our bellies full

They sing out, I am gonna stand my ground
You rise to me and I'll blow you down
I am gonna stand my ground
You rise to me and l'll blow you down

Hey Henry, can you hear me? Let me see those eyes
This distance between us can seem a mountain size

But boy, you are gonna stand your ground
They rise to you, you blow them down
Let me see you stand your ground
They rise to you, you blow them down

My darling, my sweetheart, I am in your sway
To cold climes, come spring time, so let me hear you say

My love, I am gonna stand my ground
They rise to me, you'll blow them down
I am gonna stand my ground
They rise to me, and I'll blow them down
Cause I am gonna stand my ground
You rise to me and I'll blow you down

Video is The Decemberists - Rise To Me