First Concert

I love you son. Well. its actually been a couple weeks now since you attended your first major musical concert - Dave Mathews Band @ the Gorge in George, WA (technically, the first was Eddie Money at Kitsap County Fairgrounds in Silverdale, WA). DMB concert was meant to be. It was pouring down rain the entire way there (3.5 hours from door to door). Due to the weather, we traveled 26 mi further East to "Moses Lake" to purchase a couple plastic tarps in order to help keep us dry (outdoor event). Your mother and I had experienced DMB here two years prior so we knew it'd be a good experience for you.

Upon our arrival to the Gorge, the weather still with rain but lighter now. It was a balmy 65-70* degrees. We started for the concert area, surrounded by rainbows and actual peeks of sun ray. In fact as soon as the sun showed presence all the people around us cheered aloud and you peered at all around you with curious eyes of uncertainty yet you maintained comfort without fear, as you do. Our evening was blessed, from there on the skies remained dry the rest of the evening. We met some friendly people (of course all were enjoying your attention) and the concert was awesome both vocally and visually. We picked a great spot on the grass on the slanted hill which gave you an ongoing challenge trying to negotiate (but one thing I've noticed is that you enjoy new challenges).

We were surrounded by a large number of people which took you a little while to get used to but once you did, it was like being at home for you. When the main band took stage (DMB) I took hold of you and didn't put you down until we left (just before encore). You were just comfortable and your mother and I wanted you to have a pleasurable experience. In fact for me it was the best concert experience ever by having you there. Just a couple songs in and you had become tired, so you just lay slumped in my arms while we swayed to the music (that's were my energy derives-music). Just before the audience would cheer, I would do our "count", and we started doing the "count" on account of 4th of July with the loud fireworks and that would prepare you for something abrupt. "1-2-3"Yay" is what I'd say for this one. As soon as you heard the count you knew to expect people to get loud and you got so familiar with this that you would produce a little "scream" and participate with the rest of us. The best concert ever. I feel I am the luckiest man to have experienced that.

As you slept in my arms, you would pick your head up off my chest and peer around you whenever the audience cheered and then immediately lie your head back down. I'm thinking you might have been in such a relaxed state thanks to all the second hand reefer "contact high" around us - and there was a lot. It was a sober concert for us though and a great experience too. We wouldn't have wanted it any other way. We left around 11PM and drove to Nana&Nano's that night to sleep. And in the morning... enjoying life all over again.