10-6-13 RMB Brave Roar

10-6-13 RMB Brave Roar

Dear Rita Mae Brown,

On this day my niece and namesake celebrates her birthday. She is one of the most honorable and brave people I know. You recall the saying “Out of the mouths of babes…”? She is one babe, thirty years my junior, that continues to amaze, surprise and inspire me with words of wisdom and acts of integrity.

Some people gather strength to stand up for themselves. Others are strong enough or wise enough, compassionate enough, and above all else, brave enough, to stand up for others. You are one so blessed, or perhaps cursed (smile), to stand up for others. She is as well.

Two songs released this year echo that strength, wisdom and bravery. Both are brought to us by “babes” that reach multitudes. Both remind me of you and of my Loraine. Information about the two songs follows below. I encourage anyone reading this to listen to them, to honor the young ladies that brought them to us, and most of all, to live by their words.

"Brave" is a song by American singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles from her album, The Blessed Unrest (2013). The song was written by Bareilles and Jack Antonoff from the band Fun. The singer was inspired from the struggles that a close friend dealt with in regards to coming out. Antonoff described the song "as a real civil rights anthem at a time when there are no civil rights anthems…" Bareilles also discussed the song in interviews, revealing "there's so much honor and integrity and beauty in being able to be who you are, [and] it's important to be brave because by doing that you also give others permission to do the same.”

"Brave" begins…

You can be amazing
You can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug
You can be the outcast
Or be the backlash of somebody’s lack of love
Or you can start speaking up

Nothing’s gonna hurt you the way that words do
When they settle ‘neath your skin
Kept on the inside with no sunlight
Sometimes a shadow wins
But I wonder what would happen if you

Say what you wanna say
And let the words fall out
Honestly. I wanna see you be brave

"Roar" is a song by American recording artist Katy Perry for her album, Prism (2013). The song was written and produced by Dr. Luke, Max Martin, and Cirkut, with additional songwriting provided by Perry and Bonnie McKee. The lyrics address standing up for oneself and self-empowerment.

"Roar" begins…

I used to bite my tongue and hold my breath
Scared to rock the boat and make a mess
So I sat quietly, agreed politely
I guess that I forgot I had a choice
I let you push me past the breaking point
I stood for nothing, so I fell for everything

You held me down, but I got up (HEY!)
Already brushing off the dust
You hear my voice, you hear that sound
Like thunder gonna shake the ground
You held me down, but I got up (HEY!)
Get ready 'cause I’ve had enough
I see it all, I see it now

On this day, I am grateful to those who are “Brave”, to those who “Roar” in the face of oppression, to you, to my niece and these two young recording artists.

Wishing a Happy Birthday to RLI and a Happy Ever After for us all,

Loraine