We rushed to the front as the lights dropped, Garrett (4) on my shoulders, Brody (7 ) hauled between Elena and me as Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros reached the stage.
We were at El Cosmico in Marfa, Texas, to watch Sharpe, Mumford and Sons, and Old Crow Medicine Show perform on the “Railroad Revival Tour.” The bands traveled by train in April 2011, starting in Oakland, California, and ending in New Orleans, Louisiana. Marfa was the fourth concert stop of seven performances along the way.
The boys had a great “first” concert experience—a lovely bouquet on a fine Easter road trip weekend.
When the band played ‘Home,’ their mega-hit and our family anthem, we were all dancing like crazy, four bodies from the stage with Garrett bouncing on my shoulders; Brody grabbed my arm and started tugging it to get my attention. ‘Dad! Dad!’ He emplored. In that moment, we were all united in joy, dancing to the same rhythm, and feeling the same emotions.
“I know what it means now! I know what those words mean,” as the crowd danced and bounced. I had no idea what he meant, but when I said, “What?” he said, “Dance like no one’s watching.” Then, he continued dancing like a madman with the crowd.
Brody had remembered the words from a magnet that was stuck on our refrigerator (it is still stuck there today):
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“Work like you don’t need the money, love like you’ve never been hurt, and dance like no one is watching.”
– Rearranged Mark Twain
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This Mark Twain quote has stuck with me the longest because it has become a part of my life. It’s more embedded in my long-term memory than a refrigerator magnet ever could because it was a visceral experience. It’s a constant reminder to go for it and nurture a “leap and the net will appear” attitude. Cheers!
