“…live high…live mighty…live righteously…”
After months of preparation and rehearsing, it was hard to believe that the concert finally happened yesterday. The day was a blur with a flurry of activities: woke up…picked up concert programs from our designer; dropped off Taylor at my sister’s; car battery died (AARRRGHHH!!!); waiting for CAA to come; arriving for 3pm soundcheck; soundcheck; soundcheck; soundcheck again; more soundcheck…;6:30 house opens; on stage @ 7:15pm; saying good bye @ 9:30; hotpot with the gang @ 100 Degrees after; going home; crashing.
And just like that, it was over.
There is so much to process and unpack, but for now, I am left with a incredible sense of gratitude. I remembered packing up my guitars after the concert hall had emptied. As I walked off the stage, I took one last look at the hall, and I thought, “I am so blessed.”
Feeling thankful and blessed. I hope regardless of how people came in, that was how they left at the end.
I’ve lived long enough to know that there is rarely such thing as a “life changing event”. No matter how big an event may seem at the time, as time passes, in retrospect it would simply be another thing that happened. I know this concert is no exception. It’s like one of those distance markers along the highway. You don’t make too big a deal about passing one, but it is there to tell you about the distance you have travelled.
I’ve learned that rather than simply a collection of “events”, life is lived as an accumulation of “moments”. I will remember, treasure and celebrate each tiny moment we experienced together as teammates, as friends, as family.
What’s next? Who knows? We’ll figure it out in due time.
I think I am just going to take some time to savor what we just experienced. Together.
I went down to the basement to do some laundry tonight. I looked at our practice space for the last couple of months with all the gear now cleared out. I looked around the emptied space and “saw” many of the funny moments that took place during rehearsals. I sat down and laughed.
I am one lucky, blessed bastard. =)
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Alfred,
You did well, we all did well, it is such a great night!
Keep going!
We came across many events in our life but few will leave a mark, this one did! Thanks.
Music has the healing power, it was my first time truly experienced it, in your concert. Your very first song hit my heart already. Along the years, I’ve been striking for success at work, being a good Christian…so concerned about others’ recognition. I’ve been crawling…..but what I’m really looking for, what can fulfill my soul is the true and unconditional love. I’m so blessed that I’ve received such unconditional love from my parents; however, I’m so reluctant to give the love back. God is love. I’ll let him to work through me again. Like how he worked through you to heal other people in your concert. Thanks to you and our Lord!!
Thank you, Bill and Ken, for your encouragement. I am so thankful that the concert was a good experience for you!! I only pray that as I continue to learn to share my life in an authentic manner, it will become a source of encouragement for others.