September 17, 2008……………………..Home Again
I decided during this stay at home I would try to help my friend and editor of the Truth Seeker Times, the magazine my Ways to Wellness article appears in each month. I knew there was a concert-party at the local music store and I called to ask her if she would like me to go and take some take some photos.
“That would be great Diane. I don’t think I am going to have time to get over there and I would love to do a story on them,” she told me.
I got my camera and headed to the festivities which were practically around the corner from my house. There was a large crowd gathered and I felt myself getting excited. There’s nothing like a group of people assembled to enjoy good music to heighten the spirits. This was going to be fun.
I drove up to the front of the store and someone had just pulled out of the only parking spot in sight. Bob, the owner, laughed as I pulled into the empty space and yelled at me, “I’ve been saving this spot for you Diane. Good to see you!”
“Thanks, Bob,” I laughed back at him. “I am here to take photos for the magazine so I expect priority-press treatment.”
I walked around and took several photos, spoke to a few yoga students and friends and sat down to listen to the band on stage. When the lead singer started singing Seminole Wind I could feel the tears coming. Oh how Red could sing this song. I don’t think anyone ever sang or played the fiddle to it any better than my late husband did.
After the applause at the end of Seminole Wind the singer sang “Waltz across Texas” and then went into a rendition of the country tune I always called “Swanging.” I realized I couldn’t sit here any longer wishing it was Red on that stage singing these songs he had performed so perfectly when he put on his country twang. These people would have been on their feet screaming if he were on the stage. I was so sorry they never got a chance to hear him do his thang. I had to get out of here before the flood of tears started.
I walked quickly back to my truck trying to smile at people along the way. I felt I was doing a poor job at pretending to be cheerful and jumped into my truck and turned the key. Just before I put it into gear I looked over at the Toys for Tots booth. Darn, I had meant to take the time to make a donation and knew I couldn’t leave with a clear conscience if I didn’t. I shut the truck off and grabbed a $5 bill from my wallet and walked over to the group of people standing there.
They were all joking about the woman in charge and how she wore the pants in the family. The woman who was standing by her side looked over at me and took a couple of steps towards me and said, “Honey, are you ok?” Oops, I guess my face spoke volumes.
“I’m sorry,” I choked out to her quietly.” “My husband was a singer/songwriter and he died last November. Listening to these performers do the songs he used to do is so difficult. I didn’t realize I’d react like this,” I told her apologetically.
“Don’t you worry, sweetie. My husband died last November and sometimes the tears just don’t stop,” she told me with a sad look on her face. I told her I was so sorry for her loss and handed her my $5 bill.
“Thank you dear and bless you. God has plans for us and we’ll be ok,” she assured me. “Thank you, I know you are right,” I told her.
The woman sitting to my right spoke up, “Hey everyone. I would like you to meet my friend Diane. She’s the best damn yoga teacher in these here parts.”
I looked over to see a sweet student of mine who had been releasing cancer for the past couple of years. She was in a cast.
“Thank you for your compliments. What did you do to your foot, Girl?” I asked her.
“Oh, I conquered the cancer but I still have trouble walking across the yard,” she laughed. “I’ll be fine once I get my cast off next month. I have a trip to take with my husband to help him promote his new book so the cast has to come off before November.”
“That’s right. The last time I saw you, you had just picked up the first thousand copies of his book. How are sales going?” I asked.
“We just ordered the second printing. Have you gotten to the publishing point yet?” she questioned with a smile.
“No. But, thank you. You are an inspiration. I am so glad I couldn’t leave here without giving a little something to Toys for Tots. I never would have seen you,” I told her with a hug.
I wished everyone a good day and walked back towards my truck. OK, Diane. Ten months ago was yesterday. It’s time to stop writing and start editing and get this book published. It isn’t doing anyone any good sitting on your computer. You can add after words or write another book later!
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