Sunday, February 17, 2013

Sing Anyway


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.