“I want to be remembered as a kid who went down fighting, and didn’t really lose” – Zach Sobiech photo: lunaguitars.com
Sometimes the timing of events gives you pause and makes you wonder if it is just coincidental or if there is some other reason behind their occurrence. Today’s letter talks to that very phenomenon.
Zach Sobiech was 14 when he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a bone cancer which mostly strikes children. Zach underwent almost a dozen surgeries and some 20 rounds of chemotherapy, but sadly died less than a month after his 18th birthday in 2013.
He started writing music after his diagnosis. His song Clouds is beautiful and I hope that you will listen to it while you read this letter to his parents. Click here to listen one of my favorite versions of the song that features Zach singing the song with a host of celebrities. It’s really cool, but get the box of tissues.
Dear Laura and Rob,
Yesterday I found myself watching a video online and realized that the music sounded familiar – it was Zach’s Clouds.
I remember hearing about Zach and his story around the time of his death in May of 2013. Listening to Clouds yesterday I decided to Google Zach and was surprised when I saw that it was his birthday and that he would have turned 20.
Sobiech family, photo: people.com
Something told me that it wasn’t a coincidence that I heard the song, looked him up, discovered it was his birthday – so I decided to write you a letter. I am very sorry for your loss. Zach seemed like a wonderful person.
I imagine that May might be a difficult time for your family. Please know that he and his music live on forever in the hearts and minds of the millions of people he touched.
Warmest regards,
Reed Sandridge
Cloud by Zach Sobiech
I fell down, down, down
Into this dark and lonely hole
There was no one there to care about me anymore
And I needed a way to climb and grab a hold of the edge
You were sitting there holding a rope
And we’ll go up, up, up
But I’ll fly a little higher
Go up in the clouds because the view’s a little nicer
Up here my dear
It won’t be long now, it won’t be long now
When we get back on land
Well I’ll never get my chance
Be ready to live and it’ll be ripped right out of my hands
And maybe someday we’ll take a little ride
Go up, up, up and everything will be just fine
We’ll go up, up, up
But I’ll fly a little higher
Go up in the clouds because the view’s a little nicer
Up here my dear
It won’t be long now, it won’t be long now
If only I had a little bit more time
If only I had a little bit more time with you
We could go up, up, up
And take that little ride
We’ll sit there holding hands
And everything would be just right
And maybe someday I’ll see you again
We’ll float up in the clouds and we’ll never see the end
We’ll go up, up, up
But I’ll fly a little higher
Go up in the clouds because the view’s a little nicer
Up here my dear
It won’t be long now, it won’t be long now
Just after midnight on June 14th, Keaton Marek, a 22-year-old recent graduate of George Washington University, was found dead on the sidewalk near the intersection of 24th and M streets here in Washington. I work less than a block away and frequent a Starbucks there often.
