Although long faded into memories’ solace, the evening’s sweetness prevails in my thoughts like the presence of crisp morning dew long past the sun’s arrival. Shameless laughter. Endless guitar riffs cascading against the coffee house walls, intertwined with the hypnotic rhythms of Tom’s african drum. Faces of familiarity from all aspects of my life mingled together. In a common room, strangers come together with strangers with a mutual interest: to wish me a hearty farewell on my endeavors across the Pacific.
I couldn’t have chosen a better, more satisfying night. Smooth Grooves, our band, played its final session before a raucous crowd at the New Holland Coffee Co, doubling as a farewell as I depart this coming Wednesday. There is something richly sweet about making music for the people who love you- it is as though you have grasped inside yourself to offer everyone a little piece of you to enjoy. Also, for all my trampoline friends, the post-concert singing was sweet icing on the cake (I will be working on my late-90’s songs)!
However, the thought pervaded my mind as I pressed myself against these dear friends in a final token of farewell- did I give enough? Inevitably, we turn towards our past, asking this question concerning events in our lives, but I wonder this concerning the people I worked with, jammed with, laughed with, ate with; did I I really invest into these people or did I simply allow so many days fade beside me without caring for people in a significant way? Significance in relationships, I have found, is painful and inconvenient. And absolutely essential. I hope that I will recall these last two years in Pennsylvania with a sense of satisfaction and not regret. This is answered only through the illuminating hindsight of time, of which it reveals at its own convenience.
Friend, I promise that the next entry you read from me will be sent from ancient lands in a new home.
May the Lord’s fragrance be upon your head and in your thoughts this day- stay tuned.
Chris…first of you write beautifuly!! Though I’d love to go to Thailand in person, through your writing I have a feeling I will at least get to imagine myself right there:) God Bless and looking forward to reading about your life there. I’m leaving for Ukraine in 3 hours:)
Bro,
As you’re sitting on a plane, reflecting on the past two years of your life in PA, I can assure you that it was not in vain. Nor was it meaningless. In my opinion, our friendship has been sweet (your opinion may vary haha). For one of the few times in my life I had a close friend nearby that cared beyond the surface of things. Can I just say, in a moment of seriousness, thank you? Okay. I will.
Thank you.
Thanks for investing in my life.
Thanks for investing in MANY others’ lives here in PA and around the US.
Thanks for showing grace toward my unreturned phone calls and inconsistency in maintaining a good level of communication.
And thanks for all the free food at your flat. Although, I must say, some of the curry fell a tad short of my very limited taste preference list.
If you care for the people in Thailand as much as you did here in PA, you will continue to be on the right track as far as Biblical Relational Specifications goes (BRS). And yes, I just made that term up.
Do a great work in Thailand.
-Lead Guitarist