When Jackie Lee discovered he had signs of cancer less than two years after losing his mom to the disease, his world crumbled apart.
The country singer knew he could go one of two ways: fall into a downward spiral of hopelessness over the diagnosis or fight it head on with faith and family on his side. Lee chose the latter, and immediately got connected with the right doctors and the healthy treatments.
Thankfully, his family stood behind him throughout the entire healing process and the singer even admitted that his little sister didn’t show one ounce of fear, which lent him even more strength throughout his fight.
“She didn’t shed one tear,” Lee remembered about his sister’s reaction in an interview with People. “She was like, ‘The doctors say you’re gonna be okay?’ I was like, “Yeah.’ She goes, ‘All right.’ My brother and dad are over there bawling their eyes out, and she’s like a rock.”
Another element on Lee’s side was his love for music, which prompted him to become vulnerable during the writing session of “Long Year.” He let everything go in the lyrics, inspired by his and his mother’s stories, and hopes the fans recognize that Lee remains just as tough now as he was going through the hardships.
“I don’t feel like anything’s missing — other than the obvious,” Lee admitted with a smile. “As far as my life goes, I feel like me. I feel normal. I feel like I can carry on. I’m just super thankful.”
Documenting the traumatic journey with an optimistic twist, Lee put his life struggles out there in the “Long Year” video in hopes that people everywhere can relate to the highs and lows that life throws out there. As for now, Lee is cancer-free and happy to look back on the experience with great support and a sense of courage.
“I hope that people know it’s coming from a real place, real emotion. No matter what you’re going through, you’re going to get through it,” he said of the battles people face as well as his own.
Listeners can stream “Long Year” on Spotify now.
