March 29, 2024

My crazy good wonderful life

If you have known me for any extended period of time, you would have heard me talk about a friend of mine named Papi at least once. He is one of the best dueling piano performers that’s on the schedule at Blue Moon Dueling Piano Bar.

I remember meeting him and thinking, ‘I could only hope to be at least half as cool as him when I get to be his age.’ It was amazing that this friendship started simply from me taking some pictures.

This past weekend, my friends and I went to Blue Moon to see Papi perform, and without a doubt, he didn’t disappoint. I have taken many friends to his shows but on this particular night, everything clicked.

For the first time in a long time, I danced as Papi played, and I had the chance to be a part of the night’s entertainment during a bachelorette party routine. I didn’t want to leave, but like many great nights, it came to an end.

One of the greatest lessons that Papi has taught me is to live in the moment, and remember that you don’t have to play the game, because it’s much more fun to be the game.

As we left Blue Moon, I looked at my friends and knew from that very moment, that I had truly opened myself up by introducing them to someone that is a major part of my life outside of Newton.

I thought about how an old pastor friend, Craig Peters, referred to some of the issues that I have gone through as “storms”. I laughed as the storms came rolling for me this week, knowing in that moment, it didn’t matter on that night because I was amongst friends. For a few hours, nothing mattered because it wasn’t about work or any other issues I was having at home.

I know most people will say, ‘Of course its easier when your 40 miles away,’ and on the inside, I know they’re correct.

My life will always be a mess, but now I know it’s a beautiful mess because of my family and friends. My father always reminds me that a time will come when this mess becomes a masterpiece. I smile because I know when he says that, it’s because, to him, my brother, sisters and I are all his masterpiece because of his investment in our lives.

I have found at times, many friends like to make jokes at the random things I do —especially friend and co-worker Ty Rushing. A couple months ago, he gave me the nickname of “Mr. Notebook” due to many characteristics I display that are unlike your common guy’s traits, and how my writing sometime can sound like something out of the movie “The Notebook.” I will always argue with him about it, but I realized being referred to as one of the most romantic novels and movies of our generation isn’t that bad.

I also find the nickname Ty gave me fits because of my amazing family and friends. I’m an awesome cook, because of my father, and the friends that I have cooked for agree. I love to dance because of great music and amazing dance partners that I have had through the years. I learned to love because of the example set by the great people in my life.

In the end, I know shouting out about love is just yelling into the void, but it should never stop you from yelling. It’s cliché, I know, but I find myself falling in love with this life like I fall asleep a little at first, but then all at once.