I played a combination anniversary, birthday, wedding reception event for good friends over the weekend, and I was very attentive to the friendships I could see all around me. Many of them had lasted many decades, and I could feel the common bond and love that they shared. A glance was all that was necessary between them to express times they had shared of both pain and joy. It was a pleasure and an honor to see, and it gave me insight into what matters so much in this life - the sharing and caring for each other. I don’t mean to sound too mushy, but those are the real things that count as we age. One of my favorite songs of late was written by Kieran Kane and Jamie O’Hara called “When We’re Gone, Long Gone”. The Chorus goes,
“When we’re gone, long gone, the only thing that will have mattered,
is the love that we shared, and the way that we cared,
when we’re gone, long gone.”
We’ve all heard it often. Family and friends are all that last in life. All the possessions and money, fame and accomplishment just don’t bring happiness. We want belonging and a chance to give. I wrote about giving a few years back. When we give we prime the pump of love and happiness for ourselves as well as others. Instead of draining ourselves, we get more energy to give even more. This doesn’t mean that we don’t need downtime to ourselves too, but it is an encouragement to give freely to others as often as we can. Friends understand this. They’ve been through times of selfishness and struggle on the path to learning how to give to each other more openly. There is an earned mutual trust that fuels their togetherness. It also supersedes all the baggage of culture and class and even religion. Somehow friends just know that all fades away when we do like the song says - love and care.
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What have I been up to?
I had 9 senior facilities last week, and they were all pretty special. I did traveling songs for most of them, and we reminisced about family trips and days gone by. It was very nice.
My Wednesday online show was doing traveling songs, and it was a really good time with lots of folks tuning in. I have such a love for traveling, and the songs really capture this.
Thursday was another busy and fun time at the Yellow Pine Barbecue in Cuchara. There were several good friends and acquaintances in attendance, and it was a beautiful night. The food was extra good.
Friday I played a stormy and busy night at the Garden of the Gods Club. There was a bachelorette party and another big table of colleagues that had the place hopping.
Saturday and Sunday I played for the folks I wrote about in my paragraph above who were celebrating an anniversary, birthday, and wedding over two days. Saturday was a multiple-performer concert that I opened up with a few favorite tunes and eventually with several of us singing “With a Little Help from My Friends”. Sunday was a house “barn” concert that I got to play solo. It was such a wonderful time as evidenced by the inspiration for what I wrote above. A big “Thank You!” to all who put it together, especially Richard and Pam!
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What am I up to this week?
I have 11 senior facilities this week, and I’m sure we’ll have some great moments at all of them. There is such an affinity I feel for these folks.
My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be songs I’ve never done for my online shows. I have such a good time looking through my list and picking songs I love that I don’t get to do often. There will be some surprises and a lot of good tunes. Come on out!
Thursday 6:30-8 I’m back at the Yellow Pine for the barbecue. There are only 4 more of these special evenings in the old barn with lots of smiles and music and good barbecue. I’d love to see you there. Call 719-742-3528 to make a reservation now. Deadline for reservations is Tuesday at noon.
Friday 6-9 I’m back at Garden of the Gods Club in the Grand View Restaurant noodling on the guitar for the diners. I have a great time picking well-known and obscure songs and sometimes even improvising. Come on out if you’d like some great food and a beautiful view. Reservations are at 888-994-3156 or you can usually sit at the bar or the small table near me in the bar.
My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and since I didn’t do a Sunday show last week I expect this one to be extra good. I have several new songs I’m working on. I’d love to have you in my audience.
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That’s it for this week. The summer is flying by, and it just keeps getting better. I hope you are healthy and happy and have good friendships to cherish.
Best always,
Tom
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Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing an online concert of songs I’ve never done at my online shows
Where: facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts
When: Wednesday, July 16, 7-8:45 pm mountain time
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing & singing at the barbeque
Where: Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara. 719-742-3528
When: Thursday, July 17, 6:30-8 pm
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing instrumental guitar tunes
Where: Garden of the Gods Resort and Club in the Grand View Restaurant. 888-994-3156
When: Friday, July 18, 6-9 pm
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing an online concert of favorites and requests
Where: facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts
When: Sunday, July 20, 7-8:45 pm mountain time