Oh, it was so much fun. This was the third time I got to see him play live and it was the best. The venue was awesome — small and with great sound. He got to play for I dunno…over an hour? I guess? Which was very very nice, considering the last time we saw him he only had time for a few songs. Also, the trip to Philly is a much shorter and easier one than going to New York City. (Not that I don’t love NYC, but Philly’s much easier to get to.)

Now, please pardon me while I get a little misty eyed.

I’ve been listening to Jason’s music for…well, I’ve lost track, but at least a couple years. And I listen to it every day. I mean, like, literally, if I have music playing one of his songs comes up on shuffle. I have at least one of his songs on nearly every book playlist for every book I write. (His version of Hallelujah…so good. SO GOOD. If Three Months is ever made into a movie, I want that song playing in the final fifteen minutes.)

So anyway, I love his music, and I love seeing my favorite musicians playing live, so when I have the chance, it’s awesome.

But what made it better was not just the small, intimate venue where we were so close to the stage we could have felt the breeze when he blinked his eyes…it was the fact I was there with three of my very dear friends who love Jason’s music as much as I do. It was a road trip, but more than that. It was a good night with good friends, doing something and enjoying something we all really feel passionate about.

I seriously almost cried a few times. As I was listening to these songs I’ve heard a couple hundred times (iTunes tells me I’ve listened to Without You over 200 times and that’s not counting the times I’ve listened to it in the car or on my IPod) I was thinking…”when I’m 80 years old I’ll look back to this night and remember being here with my friends who I love, listening to songs that I love.”

Moments like that are powerful. When you’re thankful for everything you have in your life at that moment, and everything tastes so sweet. It’s good to be glad you’re alive and thankful and grateful for what you have and happy to be who you are.

Thanks to my friends Natalie, Misty and Vicki for sharing my passion and the road trip and the joy. And thanks to Jason for the songs.

Everyone, check him out on iTunes or his website. And check out my friends, too!
Natalie Damschroder
Misty Simon
Vicki Smith

Oh, and find some joy today.

M