singing. yes.

Between Thursday and Monday of this week, Shane and I have three shows.

That’s the good part.

The sad part is that after that, it’ll be a good five months before we get to play another one. And yes, I said a good five months because I am determined to stay positive right now. Determined to imagine that there could just as well be good things instead of disappointing things up ahead.

And the reason for our little time-off is that Shane is going to be studying in South Africa, which is so very lovely for him, but have you heard? That’s a whole other continent from this one, and so the playing of shows together will be on hold till December.

But tonight was a good one. We played in the East Village in NYC and I suppose it is a good rule of thumb to always bring your own toilet paper to such events. And you’re smart; I am sure you can imagine how I learned this. And you’re right. But moving on.

There’s nothing really like performing, is there? There’s something about giving all of you to a song or a dance or a scene and suddenly your body, mind, and spirit–they’re in this fantastic kind of sync. It’s like finally, all of you is pointed in the same direction and there’s just no room for confusion. Not anymore. I have a dear friend who likens performing to falling in love, and I think I know what she means. Because you might feel down or rather like the little runt of the litter that nobody wants to buy for their seven year old who has finally proven they can handle a puppy, but then you sing; you wonder where singing has been all your life.

And you stand there and the words, they pour out of you like a light you didn’t even know was inside–not when you were sure there was so much darkness lately. And then the melodies. They fly and you can’t help but go with them and in this moment, life is so good.

And you are smiling and giving of yourself and it feels like this could be a clue as to what life is all about anyway.

And you feel like God is smiling and you give him the kind of sideways glance that can only come from the very surprised birthday girl after she has walked into a roomful of HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!!!  all around.  And once she sees a certain someone tickled pink, she gives them a look as if to say, You planned this, didn’t you? You knew all along…

At which point the person smiles and nods quietly in response.

But right, the show was a blast.

I’m gonna miss all this business come Tuesday, that’s for darn sure.