Hope

This weekend, I had an amazing time outside of Paso Robles CA at the V6 ranch getting to perform for a really wonderful crowd of folks. As always, I had a blast and loved getting to meet new friends and experience the ever present promise of adventure waiting just around the next corner.

As much fun as the show and trip was however, a few things really made a big impression on me unlike something has before.

 As most of you know, my best friend and big sister Liz has battled with Lyme for a very long time, and although she has come out as the victor and has refused to give up in her fight, the effects of the sickness seem to be pretty obnoxiously holding on in a lot of ways. Watching someone you love hurt and struggling so much with something no one can do anything about is maddening. I cannot imagine feeling the pain and going through what she herself has had to deal with, but more importantly I know I could never go through the same thing with the grace and love she has shown. For years, her attitude has been one of joy-love and cheerfulness that would have worn out long ago on a lesser person. Liz battled pain and the slow slipping away of a lifestyle and career that was all she ever wanted, but she didn’t just battle it-she fought with optimism and grace. She took her story, and instead of having a giant pity party-she has helped others. It never ceases to amaze me with how she can bring so much joy and hope to others who are hurting or struggling with similar stories.

This weekend, I met a wonderful and hurting lady who is struggling with Lyme. For 25 years she has had it and couldn’t figure out what was going on…Now, knowing what she is battling she faces it with a smile. It was weird to see that same look that I’ve seen on my sister’s face so many times before. Being faced with a situation and a sickness that demands distress and fear,but looking at it in such a matter of fact way with bravery and grace.

Late last night, I was approving a bunch of comments on the Buckaroogirl blog and one in particular caught my eye. It was from a woman who just found out she has cancer. That awful dreaded word that gives the feeling like your world is crashing down around in a million pieces and you don’t know how to rebuild. But she didn’t say that she was angry, she didn’t say that she was scared- she said that she was strong and that she felt like a “Red lipped bronc stomping son of a gun”….

I have never in my whole career as an artist so far felt something so deeply about a line I’ve written than that. Bar-none. Because I know that the real beauty of music is when it touches someone. When it makes a difference.

Every year I sing a nighttime concert in Winnemucca NV for the LaRena Bengoa Walk Run Ride for cancer. And for one night, rows and rows of survivors and loved ones family sit and smile and offer comfort to each other and tell me what my music means to them. They all have that same smile. That beautiful, tough and full of hope smile. There is no richer reward for your craft, or your heart than seeing that.

We all have our own stories, Some are full of pain and hurt. Music-for me at least is a safe place, a release. But what feels the most true and the most deep of anything is when I see the faces of brave souls or read their words as they fight. They have the common factor among all of them that they fight with a smile. With hope and with grace. I am in awe of how strong, determined and beautiful inside and out all of these fighters are.

I don’t know what you’re battling in your life right at this moment.

Maybe its your health, your love life, a history of hurt and pain, fear and worry.

Whatever it is, just remember that there is always hope. No matter what, no one can ever take hope away from you. If someone hasn’t told you yet today, You can do this. You’re tough, you are strong and you are loved.

Don’t give up. You are worth fighting for.

xoxo

~Adrian