In this series, we take
letters from caregivers
who are also essential workers
and turn them into songs.
Today's letter is from John,
a former police officer
who became a hospital security guard
following a permanent
injury in the line of duty.
The current political
climate might lead us
to assume the worst of
those enforcing the rules.
So we had John write to us
about his everyday reality.
D-Sisive?
- Hey, hey!
- Bif?
- Hello!
- Let's do this.
This is my story
This is my song
This is my letter
My name is John
A security guard at a hospital
Is how I pay the bills
And I get if fate introduces us
You're likely not gonna be very thrilled
A patient losing patience
in a waiting room
Is a sight that I often see
But despite your pain and circumstance
I still need to guard, security
And it may feel cold in the room
You may feel like it's a losing race
But I still remind you
to socially distance
And keep a mask on your face
I try to keep the peace
But sometimes things get outta hand
You see my uniform and see a "renta-cop"
But that's not what who I am
It's my job to make sure
nothing bad goes down
Inside these walls
Regardless of your opinion
I protect everyone that I guard
And I take it deadly serious
I'm not the one you can test
This is my life and I'm always ready
When I need to serve and protect, ah
I stand up for the people in these halls
'Cause if I don't, I stand to lose it all
You may see me as a
wall standing before you
Understand I stand here for you
I know it's kind of hard to comprehend
You see me as a badge and not a friend
But still, I'm gonna be
standing here for you
Understand I stand here for you
La, la, la
La, la, la
La, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la
This ain't just about my badge
This ain't just about me
This is about who lives in my house
Always around me
This mask on my face
I don't wear to be a sheep
I wear it for my elder parents
Both unwell and weak
After COVID, I moved back into their home
To help them with the day to day
Before Corona, independent
But now, everything has changed
Mom can't walk on her own
Stuck in a chair with wheels
Surgery to replace her knees
Always taking pills with meals
She's so depressed and down
No smilin', always frownin'
I preach, "life's a gift"
But she don't wanna hear a sound
Dad sings the same song
Always croonin' "Blue"
In our dark and grey home
But I'll lose it if I lose the two
These aren't just rules to you
It's life or death for
me and the ones I love
So please respect the rules that I enforce
Cause all we have is us, ah
I stand up for the people in these halls
Cause if I don't, I stand to lose it all
You may see me as a
wall standing before you
Understand I stand here for you
I know it's kinda hard to comprehend
You see me as a badge and not a friend
But still, I'm gonna be
standing here for you
Understand I stand here for you
La, la, la
La, la, la
La, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la
You see my badge, see my height
You see me standing
You see my walkie talkie hanging
And might assume that black lives matters
Is something you'll never hear me chanting
You think you know
But don't know the half of who this man is
I've never thrown a kick to hurt
I've never fought a single person
I'm a better talker and listener
That's why they call me
the patient whisperer
And a gentle giant, which is exactly why
I've seen more patients
than any other guard here
'Cause my words are my greatest strength
I'd rather find my calm than lay a palm
On someone to make a bruise
'Cause if you get hurt, then I get hurt
Then both of us will lose
Please understand, to
remind you I'm with you
Is why I wrote these words
I see your thinning patience
And the situation may feel absurd
But you're not the only
one with a backstory
Waiting in line
We're living parallel lives
We're all lacking sunshine
My story's just like
yours and I'm like you
But with a different name
My name is John and this is my story I'm
Telling you today
Thank you for spending your time with me
Listening to a page
Written by a security guard in a hospital
I hope you can relate
- Out.
- (clapping)
Wow!
That character reveal was crazy.
John's story is a prime example
of how people can often surprise you
with their kindness.
So let's all remember
to give the benefit of the doubt
to the frontline workers
who are taking care of us.
So who's the letter from next week?
