As many of you know, I finally took the opportunity to see someone who has given me so much strength for the past several years--especially the last several months--this past weekend. His songs have helped me through so very much, and I am eternally grateful for the light that would shine for me even when I didn't have the strength or want to get up in the morning. It was a promise that eventually the pain would end and day would come again someday. I'm certain we've all faced times such as this and perhaps music has helped in some way. For me, it was Josh Groban.
Regardless of how you feel about the guy or his music, pause and take a moment to consider that getting to see Josh in concert was the single greatest thing that has happened to me in a while. Here is someone whom I've never met, yet his songs have spoken to me in a such way that allowed me to recover from some of the worst times of my life. No, I don't know him and I never will, but his music will always be that one constant that never steps out even when I'm at my worst. I believe there is something to be said for that.
The drive to Orlando took over six hours. I saw some beautiful country and drove through the horse capitol of Florida, Ocala, but I really didn't stop to enjoy it because I really wanted to get to my destination. I actually forgot that I was going back to East Coast time until I got there and realized the concert was starting in an hour--not two, like I'd planned on when I left--so I wouldn't get to have a nice sit-down meal on one of the nearby restaurants. I was so excited that I barely even noticed I hadn't eaten, anyway, so I didn't even get anything after I was in the Amway Center.
Everything was a blur there for about an hour or so. The opening act, ELEW, was just amazing, but I was starting to get horribly impatient. I discovered Josh my junior year in high school and even though that was over five years ago I didn't want to wait another minute to finally see him. It didn't matter that I was in Section 208. It had been long enough!
Then the lights dimmed.
The "mini-orchestra" started playing an instrumental version of "Straight to You."
I was holding my breath in anticipation. This was it!
The crowd on the floor began to cheer. The spots lighted on that familiar curly-haired figure. He was waving as he hurried to the stage and even after, he greeted his fans at 360 degrees. He was wearing a white t-shirt, a black suit jacket, blue jeans and sneakers. I smiled at that odd combination, but it seemed fitting of him.
He sat down at this small little upright and began playing "February Song," and I sang along until the emotions wouldn't let me anymore. Tears welled up and choked out my small little voice in that gigantic stadium. I couldn't believe it. I was finally here. It was so surreal. And to start with "February Song" made it even more emotional. "Where is that simple day/Before colors broke into shades/And how did I ever fade/Into this life?" Those words hit me so much more than they ever had before, as did almost every other song that followed.
At the beginning of every new song, I kept thinking "This is one of my favorites!" or "I love this song!" It had no end. All told, there were only two songs he didn't play ("Awake" and "Remember When It Rained") that I would have loved to hear. I consider that a success.
"War At Home" just killed me.
"Bells of New York City" was just beautiful.
"Broken Vow" made me cry all over again.
And when he talked about "Higher Window" right before he sang it, I lost it even more.
The whole concert gave me some closure to parts of my life. At the same time, it allowed me to think about some things and reassess. I'd like to think it opened some new doors, too. Even though I only managed to get a wave from Josh from across the street after the concert had ended, I still felt fulfilled. It's hard to explain how or why. I really don't know, but maybe one day I will.
After sleeping in Orlando that night, I went home with the courage to face a few things I'd been pondering how to confront. I also got scared and slammed a few doors, but that's all right. Maybe one day I'll be able to open them back up and greet what's on the other side with confidence. I'm just not there yet. The point is--and this may sound a little stupid and corny--on Saturday night Josh made me realize that anything is possible, given time...and the only way to confront time is with patience.
Regardless of how you feel about the guy or his music, pause and take a moment to consider that getting to see Josh in concert was the single greatest thing that has happened to me in a while. Here is someone whom I've never met, yet his songs have spoken to me in a such way that allowed me to recover from some of the worst times of my life. No, I don't know him and I never will, but his music will always be that one constant that never steps out even when I'm at my worst. I believe there is something to be said for that.
The drive to Orlando took over six hours. I saw some beautiful country and drove through the horse capitol of Florida, Ocala, but I really didn't stop to enjoy it because I really wanted to get to my destination. I actually forgot that I was going back to East Coast time until I got there and realized the concert was starting in an hour--not two, like I'd planned on when I left--so I wouldn't get to have a nice sit-down meal on one of the nearby restaurants. I was so excited that I barely even noticed I hadn't eaten, anyway, so I didn't even get anything after I was in the Amway Center.
Everything was a blur there for about an hour or so. The opening act, ELEW, was just amazing, but I was starting to get horribly impatient. I discovered Josh my junior year in high school and even though that was over five years ago I didn't want to wait another minute to finally see him. It didn't matter that I was in Section 208. It had been long enough!
Then the lights dimmed.
The "mini-orchestra" started playing an instrumental version of "Straight to You."
I was holding my breath in anticipation. This was it!
The crowd on the floor began to cheer. The spots lighted on that familiar curly-haired figure. He was waving as he hurried to the stage and even after, he greeted his fans at 360 degrees. He was wearing a white t-shirt, a black suit jacket, blue jeans and sneakers. I smiled at that odd combination, but it seemed fitting of him.
He sat down at this small little upright and began playing "February Song," and I sang along until the emotions wouldn't let me anymore. Tears welled up and choked out my small little voice in that gigantic stadium. I couldn't believe it. I was finally here. It was so surreal. And to start with "February Song" made it even more emotional. "Where is that simple day/Before colors broke into shades/And how did I ever fade/Into this life?" Those words hit me so much more than they ever had before, as did almost every other song that followed.
At the beginning of every new song, I kept thinking "This is one of my favorites!" or "I love this song!" It had no end. All told, there were only two songs he didn't play ("Awake" and "Remember When It Rained") that I would have loved to hear. I consider that a success.
"War At Home" just killed me.
"Bells of New York City" was just beautiful.
"Broken Vow" made me cry all over again.
And when he talked about "Higher Window" right before he sang it, I lost it even more.
The whole concert gave me some closure to parts of my life. At the same time, it allowed me to think about some things and reassess. I'd like to think it opened some new doors, too. Even though I only managed to get a wave from Josh from across the street after the concert had ended, I still felt fulfilled. It's hard to explain how or why. I really don't know, but maybe one day I will.
After sleeping in Orlando that night, I went home with the courage to face a few things I'd been pondering how to confront. I also got scared and slammed a few doors, but that's all right. Maybe one day I'll be able to open them back up and greet what's on the other side with confidence. I'm just not there yet. The point is--and this may sound a little stupid and corny--on Saturday night Josh made me realize that anything is possible, given time...and the only way to confront time is with patience.
