butterflies and tears

last weekend, i visited my parents to celebrate daddy's birthday. it was an interesting drive, as i had two hours to reflect on how that weekend was going to be my last time in my childhood home before getting married. the magnitude of those thoughts sank deep.

i also had a feeling it would be a significant weekend because we had tickets to see paul maccartney live in concert. i will never forget roadtrips with my parents, listening to the beetles and wings. daddy would sing every song aloud, tapping his hands against the dashboard in an attempt to mimic the instrumental climaxes. i would be in the backseat, taking it all in and learning the words, grateful that we could all agree on the same music. even at a young age, i already connected with particular songs, much in the same way my parents connected with particular albums. somehow, paul mccartney and the beetles did that to you: they crossed generational lines with their artistry and passion.

on sunday, my parents, aunt, and i headed to san diego, where we watched fan after fan fill the stadium seats. never in my life had i seen a full house. the four of us waited in anticipation, counting down the minutes for paul to make his appearance. at one point, i felt butterflies in my stomach.

when the lights dimmed and paul entered on stage, there was a roar in the stadium, a rumble underneath our feet. what followed was the most brilliant performance i had ever witnessed. i don't even know what to say beyond that. it captured my youth, those long drives to tucson. it opened my eyes to the hearts of my parents, as i heard them sing with gusto to some songs and fall into a nostalgic trance with other songs. to see paul through their eyes was the best part of the night. as mama shimmied her shoulders, i had a glimpse of her past, when she and her brothers dressed like the beetles and played broomstick guitars. as my dad's eyes glistened with tears to paul's performance of "blackbird," his childhood emotions were tangible, present.

paul mccartney's concert was important for this particular time, this time of growth and reflection, transitions and celebration. my parents and i connected on such a spiritual level, i feel overwhelmed with extraordinary love - the kind of love that is preparing me for a lifetime.