One Song with So Much Meaning

My connection to the song “Stand by Me ” started with my older brother Aaron, who introduced the song to me after going away to summer camp. Every morning his counselor played this song as an alarm to wake up his bunk. After the summer, Aaron started playing the song to wake the two of us up at home. It continues to be a meaningful connection between the two of us; when either of us is upset with the other, we never really apologize outright. Instead, we blast the song as equivalent.

“If the sky that we look upon

Should tumble and fall”

The song’s importance to me grew even stronger over the past two years.  When I was going through my battle with brain cancer, during treatment I received constant visits from friends and family at the hospital and at home, on the phone or via Facetime, deepening the meaning of the lyrics.

“When the night has come, and the land is dark, and

This song became my anthem during my own dark “nights” of my illness. Close friends from camp surprised me in the hospital for my 16th birthday. They came from New Jersey, Westchester, Roslyn, and the Upper East Side of Manhattan. They all came and surprised me, and while hanging out, my mom had played the song.

“I won’t cry, I won’t cry –   No, I won’t shed a tear”

I love these lyrics. When going through treatment the only person I allowed to see me cry was my grandma, who stayed to take care of me every day along with my Grandpa when my parents had to work.

When I finished my last cancer treatment, I was upset that Covid was preventing me from celebrating with those who stood by me. Unknown to me, my mom planned around these unfortunate circumstances and surprised me with a car parade of my family and friends who drove around my block for an hour to congratulate me and honk their horns in celebration. She tricked me to come outside by telling me there’ was an air show above our house. Of course, I wanted to see it. Throughout the entire parade of friends and family driving with signs, balloons and screaming cheers, my mom blasted my favorite song — “Stand by Me” — on a loop.  This is one of my best memories. I know this song will always stand by me when I need it, and I am grateful for its beautiful memories and touching messages. 

“No, I won’t be afraid, Oh, I won’t be afraid,

Just as long as you stand, stand by me.”