I’m lying in bed. It’s 8:30pm and I’m feeling accomplished because, as I mentioned…it’s 8:30pm and I’m in bed.
Then I hear something. Live music?… Yes, it’s live music, coming from across the street. I sweep back the curtains to find a party in full swing. It’s a sound & sight I know too well: The ubiquitous Nashville singer-songwriter party. Mostly 20-somethings gathered to impress each other with their latest and greatest masterpieces. This particular party even took it up a notch with a smokin’ sound system.
The house across the street is a rental and, in the 14 years we’ve been here, has been witness to countless fledgling singer-songwriter parties. They have a deck on the second story that is a perfect stage. These newest tenants have New York license plates and have only been here a couple of months. Looks like they’ve networked well – the party’s hoppin’.
I open the window a crack and let the early spring breeze blow in the sounds of my past . I know that witty mic banter so well… the mingling laughter, the comings and goings, the harmonies and pleading choruses…. except that now, the cars lined along our street are not here for us.
I’m not sure whether to bask in the energy and hopeful dream of it all – the fact that I am so fortunate to live in the midst of such creativity and imagination, or to feel envious because the group of friends that I used to do this with has all dissipated… They’ve either moved on to pursue other things… or, in a few cases, are out there on the road, basking in the lights of fame.
It’s funny, when you’re in that moment – the pursuit of a dream – you never think it’s going to change. I mean, you hope that your work will pay off, but you never really believe that any of these people will give up or move on. You certainly won’t. And you can’t see yourself ever not living exactly like you’re living now. You vow to never grow bitter because you will be one of the lucky ones.
But life happens. And you realize that someday, the party will, infact be next door if it isn’t already. But that’s okay. Because you’ve got your own private party going. Or maybe you’re just prepping for the next phase of your life which will be one big party. Either way, life is all about the ebb and flow, the give and take – and before you get too big for your britches or too set in your ways, it’s good to remember that someday, the party will be next door.