It’s been about a year since my last post. I’ve had a lot to say since then but as I’m gearing this blog towards my music career, let's keep it there :) Last year around this time I was diagnosed with cervical dystonia which quite frankly crumbled my life for about six months, then six months of building it back up. It’s an understatement to say I’ve changed a lot.
Not being able to play music at all for several months broke my heart beyond words, so what I can do now fills me with immense gratitude. I am happy to share that I am back to being able to play guitar and sing nearly to the point I was at before dystonia. I don’t have the stamina I used to and have to sit down to play so the guitar doesn’t pull on my shoulder but I’ve been playing and singing up a storm lately and loving every minute of it. I’ve got several gigs on the horizon and I’m so grateful.
I’m still getting used to asking for help and voicing my limits because, well, my whole life I’ve wanted to be "the best" and fully self-sufficient. This can be quite a toxic mindset because all of us at some point or another will have limits and it’s oh so humbling to face these limits. I’ve been working on not making these limits define me. For now I still can only play violin for very limited amounts of time and don’t feel comfortable performing yet, but I’ll get there one day.
I entered the songwriting contest for the Tumbleweed Music Festival and wrote this song for it. It’s called “Dear Friend”. I wrote it thinking about all the people in my life I’ve either strengthened my relationship with over the last couple years or regretfully lost touch with. As adults it’s sometimes difficult to nurture friendships when career, family and just general adulting fills our lives.
Dear Friend
Dear friend, I’ve been thinkin’ about how you move me
Dear friend, what have you seen?
I know that it hasn’t been easy
But lovin’ you, I can’t stop now
And I know I’ll see you again.
Sometimes I get lost in a memory
Short sleeves and low jeans, simply being myself
With you by my side always.
Time pulled us both apart, I know
But if I saw your face now I’d glow
(cause) Life is so funny and I don’t wanna go without you.
Dear friend, how have you been?
I miss your sweet smile
Can I come over?
I won’t stay…