Just a simple congratulations and a few words of encouragement. I like to keep things like that. Moments.
Sometimes I need to dig into the reserve when the tank is empty.
After hitting a rough patch this week I came across a card a friend had written to me a while back after opening night of my first play. I remembered how grateful I was to receive the card and how much it had meant to me. A quick flashback of the hug, the smiles, and the support. I might not have remembered what everyone said to me exactly, but I remembered how it felt. How I felt.
I got this. I took everything that came at me and I put it on stage and was able to write a comedic family story with some dramatic moments interlaced between scenes that ended the festival with laughter and applause. Everyone deserves a standing ovation at one point in their life. Everyone. And that’s the time I got mine … and I earned it.
It just takes a brief moment to help remind me of that, to remind me that I had courage once and that I could do it again. I sent my friend a text and thanked her for the card she probably forgot she had written. I wanted her to know that after a couple of years, it still mattered, her words, her support. It still helped me.
Sometimes that happens with a song too. I’ve talked about walk-up songs before, the kind that baseball players have as they’re walking up to the plate. And so to build off of my friend’s card, I busted out some tunes that would continue that I-can-do-it-feel-good vibe, because the momentum was building and I needed to feed off of it. If I hadn’t, the moment would be gone. Sports and life are similar that way, momentum plays a big part in everyone’s success.
So I’m hoping you’re riding your wave and you find old notes, and tunes that get you going in the right direction.
Buen Camino …
Irene Cara — What a Feeling
Kool and The Gang — Celebration
Randy Newman — I Love L.A.
Mary J. Blige — Just Fine
Celia Cruz — Rie y Llora
Groovie Goolies — Monster Mash
.
.
The Wish Factor 
Those little things we saved and seemingly forgotten are extra special when they are found again. They take us back to a special time that could be a variety of things. Then we look through the rest reminding us of an occasion. Some survive time, but we trash others – and that’s OK.
Dude that’s so true. There are times when I keep cards or notes or pics and something about them held strong. This was one of them, and I realized it was because it was the only hand-written card I got. Most were text messages that have long been erased or pics that are in an album or in The Cloud. So when I came across it I smiled and remembered. As months or years pass some stuff I still keep and others I trash. You’re absolute right. And it is okay! DUDE! You have totally inspired another post!!! I am super GRATEFUL when I inspiration strikes like that! High five to you for sparking ideas 🙂 THANKS for stopping by and making magic happen on my end. Have a FANTASTIC weekend!!!
Inspiring another post is quite the praise. Thank you!
Firstly hermana, I love every tune. And you got into Celia Cruz, I really love that. It’s my childhood . . .
As for needing that little something, whatever it may be . . YES. You never realize how important it is to get that boost. It’s like a spiritual vitamin.
PS- Congrats on the Dodgers
Yes. Dodgers be making this quarantine better but I will say … no parade succccccccks. And YES! YES to Celia. In truth I’ve known about azuuuuuuuuuuuucar! for years. I am a Cumbia by heart. But Quimbara be rocking at my house growing up. Oscar de Leon and Tito. Yup they all had spaces on the 1’s and 2’s and She just energizes you with joy and dances moves. I AM SUPER glad you liked the playlist 🙂 plus I had to have Randy in there … for celebratory reasons:) and Mary J to help me with my tumbao! We ALWAYS need a little something … a little boost 🙂 sending you sunshine and waves and hope you’re doing well.
That’s true about the parade, I didn’t think about that.
Oh baby, that’s just so my wheelhouse and it sends me ALL the way back to when we would go to mi abuelito’s house for dinner and he would be spinning those tunes from his turntable. The best, the absolute best.
She rocks. Plus have you ever seen her shoes. This photographer captured them one day and people lost their minds 🙂 she was saucy and full of joy. Glad I could take you back to your abuelo’s
She was one of a kind. And there was nothing like a Friday night at mi abuelito’s place- a cramped one bedroom apartment- when we all got together and he cooked us up a meal with Celia kicking on the turntable.