...I know.... I've been silent for some time... No reason really. Just when life gets in rut mode there isn't much to say that hasn't been said a million times already.
This weekend was a step outside the ordinary. It started bright and early... 7 am early on Friday morning when I woke up, ate a piece of banana and a caffeine pill and headed out for a run - a 7 mile run. Usually I don't run in the morning, but I knew I needed to get this run out of the way for the weekend. It was cool and quiet. Birds chirping all along the path, a squirrel and a bunny. It was kinda Snow White-ish. At least that's the thought I had while running.
After that it was off to the zoo with my friends K and G. I hadn't been to the zoo in several years and we couldn't have had a better day. I didn't take any photos but my friends have promised to share theirs and when I get them I will post them and tell all about our day then.
What I really wanted to talk about was my time at a family gathering tonight. I don't spend a lot of time with my mom's side of the family. Most likely because my mom never really felt like she was part of the family, neither did my sister and I. Even now as an adult it's sometimes hard to find my place. They are all great people and I know they enjoy seeing me. It's hard to explain without going into a lot of background detail. Bottom line is that they really don't know me and I've not really given them much of an opportunity to. The reason for tonight's party was Judy and her husband Han were in Michigan visiting from Texas where they live. It was Han's first time here ever. Judy isn't really related to me at all, but I was always fond of her, even as a child. She just has this sweet southern drawl and light in her face that's so endearing.
Usually for these events I show up, eat and figure out a way to make an early exit. Tonight that was the plan. I had driven myself so I could leave when I wanted and I was pretty tired to begin with so I didn't think I'd be staying much past 8:30. Right about the time I was getting ready to make my exit, the kids had started playing guitar hero and we thought Judy was down there about to play. That was worth staying to see, so I went downstairs and more time passed. By this time my mom had already left. I went upstairs to make my exit again and started talking. Somehow I ended up offering to bring in my guitar and play the song I wrote. It was just Ruth, Gail and Judy. No big deal. Of course they wanted everyone to come hear, so everyone piled into the living room. I was pretty nervous and I could feel that my face was all red. I wasn't nervous about playing or singing really. More so that they would enjoy it and understand it since it was a worship song to God and not the rock stuff on the video game.
And so I sang the song. The first verse was a little rough tonally, but then I felt myself settle into the song and just enjoyed the moment. That this pseudo-family was all focused on me and getting a rare glimpse into my soul. The song ended with one final strummed chords. There was a second of silence and then Nikki (my cousin's 9 year old) said, "That was way better than Guitar Hero!"
Nothing else mattered after that.
2 comments:
AWE! "Way better than Guitar Hero"! You are awesome, Tia. I am sad that I can't hear the song too but I know it's amazing...
I have family like that too. It's interesting really, how dynamics like that occur.
Awesome, Tia. That's the ultimate compliment from a 9 year old! :) You play guitar, too? AND you write music? Very cool -- and very way better than Guitar Hero.
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