Big news, world: one of my very
favorite people on earth…to me known as “mom”… is coming to visit me at college
over spring break! Last time I saw her we were making
the trek to the Pasco airport so I could jump on a plane and hop across the
country for spring semester. I’ve always
enjoyed car rides with my mom, which is fortunate, because when you live miles
and miles from much of modern civilization, long road trips are necessary and
frequent. When it’s just the two of us
for hours, there is nothing we can’t say, laugh about, or sing - especially sing. We have spent many a road trip belting various
pop songs with my iPod as the DJ. Since
each song on said device has been played on repeat at some point in my life, I
have almost every word down; my mom, on the other hand, barely knows any of the
lyrics. She sings anyway.
“W--EEEE are neee…uuh..er…..rrrr…..evv-errr…gee…mmm...ack
togetherrrr…wwweeEEEE-”
It’s wonderful.
When I was younger and going through the omg-parents-are-so-embarassing
phase, I would give skeptically stare at her until she would stop singing, poke
me and laugh. Now I just smile.
Because it's not embarrassing. It's a fearlessness we all should have. If you're on a journey with the people who matter,
it makes no difference if you know the words, the notes, the route, or the
plan. When you have something to sing
for, chances are the person in the passenger’s seat is going to think your heartfelt, shambly-but-soulful best shot is beautiful. And let’s face it – life is a continual
improv show. It’s more than likely that
at some point you’re gonna get thrown a curve ball, stuck on a stage, handed lyrics
and choreography you’ve never seen before, and you’re just gonna have to pick a
starting pitch and run with it.
So thanks Mom, for helping me learn – whenever I’m unsure - to still smile, speak up and
share my voice.
Ladies and Gentlemen, sing anyway.
