We lost a giant and a very wise man when Bill Withers passed away on March 30th at 81 years old. His song “Lean on Me” has always been a personal favorite of mine for so many reasons – but right now, it’s my anthem. Take a moment and read his beautifully written lyrics …

Sometimes in our lives we all have pain
We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there’s always tomorrow

Lean on me, when you’re not strong
And I’ll be your friend
I’ll help you carry on
For it won’t be long
‘Til I’m gonna need
Somebody to lean on

Please swallow your pride
If I have things you need to borrow
For no one can fill those of your needs
That you won’t let show

You just call on me brother, when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you’ll understand
We all need somebody to lean on

Lean on me, when you’re not strong
And I’ll be your friend
I’ll help you carry on
For it won’t be long
‘Til I’m gonna need
Somebody to lean on

You just call on me brother, when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you’ll understand
We all need somebody to lean on

If there is a load you have to bear
That you can’t carry
I’m right up the road
I’ll share your load

If you just call me (call me)
If you need a friend (call me) call me uh huh (call me) if you need a friend (call me)
If you ever need a friend (call me)
Call me (call me) call me (call me) call me
(Call me) call me (call me) if you need a friend
(Call me) call me (call me) call me (call me) call me (call me) call me (call me)

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Bill Withers

Lean on Me lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network

My mind cannot fully wrap around the events of the past week or so – a black man is murdered by the police over $20 while other policemen watch and do nothing. If it weren’t for the event being caught on video, WE MIGHT NEVER HAVE KNOWN THE TRUE STORY OF THIS MURDER. Yes I keep calling it a murder – more than 8 minutes of begging for air, for mercy, FOR JUSTICE – because it most definitely was not an arrest. Yes, it was all about $20 – a man lost his life over $20. Sure it goes much, much deeper than that but an act that involved TWENTY DOLLARS ended his life. I am ANGRY and I am SHAKEN to my core. I am so so so damn SAD.

I know about racial disparity – not because I have lived it personally BUT I seen the consequences of racism since I was a little girl. It makes me so so so damn MAD.

I want to help fight this ugly beast of racism and I want to do the right things to move BLM forward. I’ve decided I can help best by listening and learning. I can email and call people to voice my concern and frustration. I can be empathetic because I DON’T KNOW how it feels to be black and I never will. I can donate money and items to organizations to help the movement. I can ask my friends to tell me how I can help. I can pray and be present.

I’m going to make mistakes and have missteps as I navigate being an advocate. I’m learning and I’m listening. I’m not going to stop or be silent on this journey. Too much is at stake for my friends and this country.

If you are weary – need a friend – need to take a break – lean on me.