15 Stars and the Nashville Song

Sometimes visits to cities serious about reducing violence and enhancing the life prospects of vulnerable youth along with strengthening civic bonds in fragile neighborhoods inspire. Really inspire.

Such was my visit two weeks ago to the City of Nashville. The visit was just the way I like it: back to back meetings from the street to civic and governmental leaders – in this case from a small poignantly candid meeting with youth entangled in the criminal justice system to a new and inspirational, innovative (and charming) judge to a dynamic, talented no-nonsense mayor. The mayor presides over a booming city that boasts one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation. Construction cranes sprout everywhere. But for the mayor, there is no success unless all can be part of Nashville’s boom. The mayor aims her moral passion at neighborhoods where violence is rising, at schools with spotty attendance and low graduation rates, at dangerous streets where few venture out. Mayor Megan Barry has put together an array of leaders as talented and committed as any I have seen in the roughly 30 cities across America in which I have worked over the last 10 years.

Nashville is committed. Nascent programs will grow, programs that have proven themselves will expand, new partners will join and policies supporting the work will be put in place.

Etched within me is an indelible glimpse of the core challenge that lies at the very heart of our work. I caught that glimpse in the basement of a local church where I was asked to share thoughts with a group of Nashville’s faith leaders. After my speech, during the discussion period, one faith leader said this:

Our church adopted a school. I tutor once a week. I gave my second graders a fun task: ‘Draw a flag,’ I said. ‘Then tell me what your flag means. One second grader drew a flag with 15 stars. I asked her to explain the stars. She said, ‘There’s one star for every year of my life up to 15. I want to be dead after 15 because being an adult is too hard.’

No life beyond 15. Alone. Without support. Without a guide. Without hope. Stop my life: “Being an adult is too hard.”

All over this nation, there are many high-powered, well-degreed people running programs and implementing policies along with savvy street workers working with youth who see no way out. But sometimes a path out can be illuminated by an unusual guide – in this case a singer, a singer who didn’t know that he sang a song I needed to hear after the searing story of that second grade girl.

Returning to my hotel late Tuesday night, I heard live country music coming from the bar. I couldn’t stay away. Turns out these were young artists, each of whom had recorded, each of whom had several turns at the mic that night.

One song emanated from pain I can only guess at and a hope that pulled me off my chair. I came up to the singer afterwards, told him what I did, shared with him the haunting story of the second grader I’d heard in a church basement only hours before. He indicated that his song was about his wife. I suggested that his song could be interpreted theologically or, in terms of our work with youth on the edge, youth aching for someone to love them no matter what, his song, then part of our core mission – to mend the isolation and fear that leads the young to see only 15 stars. He was moved. I was moved.

Would he sing before the Mayor’s Task Force? He would. Would he send me the lyrics? He would and did.   I can hardly wait for Nashville’s leadership to hear Mike Luginbill’s “Keep On Loving Me” (Luginbill, Ahlwardt).

 

 Whenever I’m with you – or if we’re apart,

You will always be the story written on my heart.

You gave me hope- when I had none

You pulled me from the sinking sand and showed me how to run.

And when I’m lost in the dark/And I’m all alone

You’re the fire that lights my way home

No matter what I’ve done/No matter who I’ve been,

You’re always gonna keep on loving me,

No matter where I go,

Mountain high or valley low,

You’re always gonna keep on loving me.

Whenever I’m up – or feeling down,

I know I can count on you to be the solid ground – underneath my feet-

Making me feel strong

I know I don’t deserve it, but you keep me hanging on.

And when I’m lost in the dark/And I’m all alone,

You’re the fire that lights my way home.

No matter what I’ve done/No matter who I’ve been,

You’re always gonna keep on loving me

No matter where I go/Mountain high or valley low

You’re always gonna keep on loving me.

Even when our days are done and gone

Our love will live on…

No matter what I’ve done/No matter who I’ve been

You’re always gonna keep on loving me

No matter where I go/Mountain high or valley low

You’re always gonna keep on loving me.