Up...Down...Up...Down

We've spent a lot of time listening to the kid's station on XM radio in the car lately. This isn't my first choice, as I'm not really the silly-song type, but I've learned to tolerate a lot of songs. Some are actually, I have to begrudgingly admit, really fun. And then there are the songs that reach out and say something to me. Even if they're simple. Even if they're meant for kids.

Hence, I present "Jump Rope." But it's better if you listen to it, so here is the link.

Remember how you used to say
You couldn't wait till tomorrow for a brand new day
no fuss when ya had to ride the bus
You just add a little blush
To paralyze your school crush

Now you're older and the weight is on your shoulder
Make the world a little colder
No more hidin in the old day
Be strong
Don't you give up hope
It will get hard
Life's like a jump rope

Up down
Up down
Up down
Up down yeah
Cause it will get hard
Remember life's like a jump rope

There'll be a bump and there will be a bruise
There'll be alarms and there will be a snooze
There'll be a path that you will have to choose
There'll be a win and there will be a lose and

You gotta hold your head up high and
Watch all the negative go by
Don't ever be ashamed to cry
You go ahead
Cause life's like a jump rope

Up down
Up down
Up down
Up down yeah
It will get hard
Remember life's like a jump rope

I want to tell you that everything will be okay
That everything will eventually turn itself to gold
So keep pushing through it all
Don't follow, lead the way
Don't lose yourself or your hope
Cause life's like a jump rope

You stomp your feet so hard you make it pound
Raise the bottom to the top
And now we're never coming down

Up down stomp your feet spin around
Clap hands to the rhythm
Then you slip down

Up down
Up down
Up down
Up down yeah
It will get hard
Remember life's like a jump rope

Up down
Up down
Up down
Up down yeah
It will get hard
Cause it will get hard

I can feel my sneakers hit the pavement. I can feel the breeze whizzing over my head as I clutch the plastic handles in my hands. I can get tripped up and still keep going.

I can hear the whisper: Up...Down...Up...Down....