I finally cleared the smoke and caught my breath

Thought I’d walked a mile away from death

But the sky turned black and the ground just shook

Another chapter closed before I read the book

They say life throws apples, but I’m catching stones

Feeling every winter chill deep inside my bones

Another gown, another light, another cold OR

I’ve walked through that valley a dozen times before.

Chorus

I’m the block in the wind, I’m the shield in the rain

A mother’s heart just holding back the pain

They think I’m standing tall, they think I’m made of steel

But they don’t see the wounds that never get to heal

I do it for my kids, I keep the shadows small

So they never have to see their mama start to fall.

Verse 2

Cancer came knocking, tried to take my seat

But I’m still standing here on these tired feet

Twice I nearly left them, twice I fought my way back

Leaving every piece of me on this jagged track

I’m twitching at the edges, eager for the fight

Anything to keep their world bathed in light

You can throw the melons while I’m looking for the fruit

But you’ll never find a way to pull me by the root.

Bridge

I want to scream, I want to punch the air

I want to tell the world that it isn't fair

"Why me again?" is the cry I have to hide

While I keep the storm locked deep inside.

Outro

So bring the operation, bring the hospital bed

I’ve got my babies' faces living in my head

I’m not going down, I’m not giving in

I’ll take the pain again... just to see them grin.

Yeah, I’ll take it all again.