I can't remember the last time I've truly had a day of rest. Seems like the last couple years, especially last six months have been chocked full from start to finish.
This past Sunday came as a surprise day of rest, as the weekend plans were diluted somewhat by a typhoon headed towards Hanoi up the coast of Vietnam through the South China Sea. The original plan was to spend another day exploring the mountainous Cat Ba Island which exudes upward from Halong Bay. Instead, the trip was cut short and I was back in Hanoi by early Saturday evening, just in time for some Indian food in the old quarter and a short taxi ride back to the apartment. Just for those curious- a nice meal of Indian food here in Hanoi costs about $5 per person. Not bad considering Indian in the States can costs $20/person for only a modest portion.
So, onto the Sabbath.
The skies began releasing their fury Saturday evening and come to think, it's still raining (writing this on Tuesday morning). Well done Captain- calling off the trip to Cat Ba!
On Sunday afternoon, in an effort to stretch my bones and sequester some "fresh" air, although probably more damp than fresh, I walked over to a local coffee shop just around the corner from the apartment. While drinking a Cafe Sữa Đá (an iced, Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk) and wrapping up Helen Keller's biography, mind you, a very wonderful story if you have the chance to read it, I spotted a classical guitar perched above a piano in this unique, feline-decorated cafe. Casey concurred that I should ask the owner if I might have a go at some afternoon strumming, and to my delight, the owner obliged my offer.
The first 15 minutes of playing are still a blur, probably because it has been forever since I held an instrument in hand (really, it's only been three weeks). I think I played "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" five times before moving onto the other usuals, "Orphan Girl", "Don't think twice, it's alright", "Miss Ohio", "I'll Fly Away", "Freight Train", "Wagon Wheel", "Sweet Caroline".
I think all in all, I probably played for an hour and a half.
I forgot how much I love music. I've got a lot of learning to do, especially at the clawhammer banjo, but I am always so amazed what music can do to a person, a space, or an occasion.
I think something I love so much about playing music is that no matter where I am playing, each time I play a song, I am reminded of times I've played that song with my friends, and for some reason they feel close to me in that moment.
The last year has been a transition in many ways. Leaving Richmond, a city that shaped me and will always be near to my heart, wasn't easy by any means. Yes, leaving the Buttermilk trails, the James River, and Kuba Kuba was hard, but it wasn't those things that made my heart ache at times I least expected. It was the family and friends that have made Richmond home to me. The things I love in Richmond, or anywhere, wouldn't be the same if they couldn't be enjoyed by the friends and family I'm so blessed to have.
Tearing up the Northbank (hopefully more figuratively than literally) or stomping a boof at Pipeline just wouldn't be the same. Stalking a whitetail or calling in a Spring gobbler wouldn't be the same. VCU Rams games or Saturday mornings at the farmer's markets wouldn't be the same.
It was moments like these that I was taken back to on a rainy Sunday afternoon, sipping coffee, with a good friend, singing the blues.
I sure am blessed and I hope you all will count your blessings today as you read this and think about the things in life you love, and the people that make those experiences that much better.
Great message. Thanks for sharing bro.
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