Friends and Family

So I spent Friday night at my cousin's 30th bday party and then Saturday night playing a gig with friends for a charity event in front of a couple hundred police officers, then went to a friend's 30th bday party later that night. I had a great time doing all of them and, however sappy or cliche it might sound, I can't help by feeling so fortunate for my family and friends.

At my cousin's place, the exception to the rule was when people were not laughing. Old and new stories, off-color jokes, some booze, some food, and...well, love. It's a good way to be.

At my friend's place, I didn't know too many people there and, truthfully, she's more of my brother's friend than mine, but she's a fantastic woman and I was just flattered that I was invited. One of her friends from childhood flew in all the way from Maryland to come to the party (we are in Phoenix, AZ). And, as I was excusing myself for the evening, that same friend had left just prior to go back to Maryland. S (the birthday girl) was in tears, and I've never seen her emotional before. When I asked why she was crying, she just said, "because my best friend left again." It was enough.

I've always been distrustful of people that can't have deep emotional attachments to people, and S isn't one of them. Neither is my cousin, or members of my family, or the many friends I'm fortunate enough to have. It makes us messy, emotional, sometimes impractical, sometimes illogical, flawed, silly, and vulnerable, but human in the best way. And beautiful.