That's Life

You know how a song sometimes gets stuck in your mind.  The other day, I couldn’t get Frank Sinatra’s That’s Life out of my mind.  I was driving home from another doctor’s appointment – there’s been plenty of them lately, and the next thing I realized I was belting out this song.  Thank goodness it wasn’t summer and I didn’t have the windows open.  My voice is anything but good.  Isn’t there a saying if you can’t sing good, sing loud?  Well, I did.

As I sang, I realized what was probably causing my trip down musical memory lane was the fact that of late my life seems to parallel the song.  Maybe it has for some time.  Let’s see. . .

That's life (That's life.) That's what all the people say. You're riding high in April, shot down in May. But I know I'm gonna change that tune When I'm back on top, back on top in June.

Yes, so often in life I’ve felt like I was kicked down.  But my motto always has been when I hit bottom you better watch out, because when I come back I’ll be stronger than ever.

 
I said that's life (That's life) And as funny as it may seem Some people get their kicks stomping on a dream. But I don't let it, let it get me down 'Cause this fine old world, it keeps spinnin' around.

A lot of people haven’t shared my dreams.  Then again, most of the important people in my life have hoped my dreams come true.  One thing for sure, whether those dreams have come true or not, Sinatra’s right, the world just keeps on spinning around.

 
I've been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet, a pawn and a king I've been up and down and over and out and I know one thing Each time I find myself flat on my face I pick myself up and get back in the race.

My I do remember being each of these, just not in the order of the song.  Yes, I was a puppet on more than one occasion, until I realized it was far better to speak and act on my own.    Unfortunately, I have also been a pauper.  The starving artist thing is true. 

Ahy, Mate, I’ve also been a pirate.  For my 50^th birthday – one of those non-pauper times – my husband and I went to the Cayman Islands for Pirates Week.  We also have gone to Pirate theme night at Bube’s Brewery in Mt. Joy, PA.  On both occasions we dressed the part and enjoyed every minute.  Arrrrrrrrgh!

I’ve been a king of sorts, more just sitting on top of the world doing what I love.  And as far as the rest, I’ve been that, too.

 
That's life (That's life) I tell you, I can't deny it I thought of quitting, baby but my heart just ain't gonna buy it. And if I didn't think it was worth one single try I'd jump right on a big bird and then I'd fly.

 

I certainly have thought about quitting.  Especially during times when I’ve felt out of control, like the world was closing in to destroy me.  Fortunately, I didn’t buy it.  I keep on trying.  Well, as for the big bird, I’ve been to Sesame Street and I don’t think Big Bird could hold me.  Now, for the other kind of big bird – well, I wish I could jump on those more often.  I’ve loved every trip I’ve had on one.

 
I've been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet, a pawn and a king I've been up and down and over and out and I know one thing Each time I find myself layin' flat on my face I just pick myself up and get back in the race.

That's life (That's life) That's life and I can't deny it Many times I thought of cutting out but my heart won't buy it. But if there's nothing shaking come this here July I'm gonna roll myself up in a big ball and die, my, my!

Hey, there is where the similarity to the song ends.  I’ve had a lot of health issues lately, as I’ve suggested above.  But come July, August, next May or December, I’m not going to roll myself into a big ball and die.  No way!  I’m going out living every second to the fullest I can!  I want to do it My Way.  Oh, different song.   Frant Sinatra's That's Life