August 18th came and went. Paul McCartney did a concert in Pittsburgh, and I stayed home. What's wrong with this picture?
I struggled with this. Initially, I knew what I was doing. My daughter was expecting and although it would be early for the baby, that hasn't stopped her before. I was sure if I bought tickets I'd never make it to the concert and that would kill me. I haven't missed one of his concerts in 20 years.
Well, the 18th came. Of course the concert had sold out within minutes of going on sale, so I knew there wasn't a chance. But then tickets went on sale for the 19th. And on the 19th, there were still a few available. I was available. But I didn't buy. What's wrong with this picture? It bugged me all day.
Well, for one thing, I've been to many of his concerts, but I've only had decent, not great, seats one time. This time I really didn't want to go and sit in bad seats again. Even so I still wished I was going. And then something happened later to put all this in perspective.
After the concert, people who had gone, raved about it. And over and over I heard people say, "I'm so glad I got to see him. I've waited 30 years for this!" It didn't matter who you were, TV personality or local resident. Everyone was thrilled for this opportunity. It turns out this was the first time he'd been in Pittsburg in 20 years.
And then I had my "AHA!" moment. Or maybe it was a humbling moment.
Every once in a great while, something happens to make me take a good look at how fortunate my life has been. Many years ago when I was living in Florida the radio station I was listening to had a contest. The winner would win 2 tickets to anywhere in the world. Wow, I thought. I would go to Switzerland, or Australia! I had been to Switzerland once and really wanted to go back. I had a sister in Australia and it would be a great place to visit. The winner blew me away when she excitedly said NEW YORK!!! Huh? Anywhere in the world and she picks a city up the coast? Then she went on to say she had been in Florida for 8 years and had never been home.
Now that caught me off guard. I had to stop and let that settle in for a moment. In the 10 years I had lived in Florida I had probably been home 15 times, including vacations, weddings, and funerals. What would it have been like to never be able to go home? I was humbled. And chastised. I took so much for granted. I became very grateful.
In the last two weeks I've had a chance to re-live that feeling. In my lifetime I saw the Beatles at Convention Hall in Philly, 1964, Shea Stadium, and the Spectrum. I have seen McCartney 4 times while living in Florida. For me, it has become almost a badge of honor to go, not just a joyous event (which it always was, as well). Imagine if I had had to wait 43 years to see him!
Yes, I am a lucky person. My life has had so much good fortune in it. And for all those people who were so excited after seeing McCartney for the first time, I am glad you had my seat. Even a bad seat at his show is a fantastic experience. And the glowing faces on the news after the show reminded me once again how lucky I have been.
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A beautiful post. In a way -- for one of the few times in my life, I'm speechless. I don't know if I've had such a revelation in my own life.
ReplyDeleteThe more you have - - the more you take for granted - - the less you're grateful. Personally I have witnessed that those who have less tend to feel more blessed for what they do have. Often when we have abundance in our lives, we feel "entitled" to those things rather than grateful. It is a testament to you -- a person who has been blessed with much - as have I - to find the gratitude.
Your post also brought back my own memories....
I have such great memories of seeing the Beatles in Convention Hall with you. But - what I remember most is your mother's doing in making it happen for us. SHE went to get the tickets in Philly -- by herself -- and they were very coveted tickets, too! And -- she came with us, as we weren't quite old enough to go to a concert in the city at age 14.
I have my own memories of when you saw the Beatles at Shea, though I didn't go. First and foremost - I was GREEN with jealousy that you got to go and I didn't, as you went with someone I didn't know (and now can't remember). I vowed not to let my envy show and be gracious to you. However, I was young and don't know if I succeeded.
After the concert we were headed to Connecticut for vacation. Since you were already in the NYC area, your father and I traveled to NY to pick you up. (I don't know where your mother was -- she may have been there, too..?) Your father was always larger than life to me - quite the authority figure, if you will - always kind, but I also knew I'd better tow the line, so I was nervous about the 2 hour trip with him - without you with me.
Funny thing these memories.... :)
Wow! You bring back a lot I had forgotten. Of course, I never forgot the Convention Hall experience!! In fact I always remembered that she signed me out of school so I could go to buy the tickets...but I think YOU are right. She went in and bought them and got them right before they sold out and then she came to pick me up from school to assure me we had them. She was a great mother! I will say, though that there was more to this than meets the eye. 1) Dad played an April Fool's joke on me sending me a letter 'from a radio station' telling me I had won back stage passes to meet the Beatles. Mom knew that was over the line and this was their payback for me. 2) Years later, she told me that she had always teased my older sisters about their teen idols and tried to keep them grounded. They had each other to lean on when 'mom just didn't get it'. But I didn't. They were married and gone and she said to me, "I somehow knew this was different. If I teased you too hard, I could lose you." So to keep ME grounded, she supported me. She was right. In those days, I would have 'turned her off'. She was an awesome mom. I didn't idolize the Beatles. I internalized them. They spoke to my soul. Even in her 80's, if she saw something related to them, she'd point it out to me.
ReplyDeleteYeah, Dad was kind of forbidding, but he was a great Dad. Maybe in another posting....:)
I never knew any of the background stuff from the Convention Hall Beatles Concert and how your mother justified being as supportive as she was. There was always something special about your mother. She as an "older mom" (at least in comparison to mine - and others, too), and she worked hard to be understanding of what probably was MORE of a generation gap between her and you. What a perceptive realization to make about you -- as the last child with no siblings of around your age to lean on...
ReplyDeleteI have one odd story about the Beatles and my parents. My mom asked me whether she thought I'd love the Beatles 20 years from that point (1964) and I said I was sure I would - and I signed this statement to that affect and gave it to them.
I forgot all about it!
About 1984 (maybe later - it was a CD, though not much, as Dad died in 1988), Mom and Dad gave me this huge anthology of Beatles music for Christmas WITH THAT NOTE I'D SIGNED attached saying that I'd "won" the bet :) I still listen to it - especially in the car on my long trips. I don't / didn't love the Beatles as you did - but I still love their music in a special way, and listen to them often.
I would love to read about your father from your perspective -- and your mom, too. Despite being "larger than life" to me -- I always knew he was a softie inside -- and loved me - as your friend - very much. I came to his funeral, and wished I'd been able to come to your mother's.
Your parents were very different from mine -- in short - much more "proper. Some of the stuff I got away with at home would not "fly" at your house, and I always knew the and respected the difference in "rules" and way of life.
LOL! I love the bet you had with your parents! I remember Wayne challenging us in the car one time saying..."Beatles! In 2 months you won't even know who they were." To which we replied in unison, "Oh yes we will!" We won there,too! :)
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