It's here

The much anticipated day has finally arrived. It is Sunday, 12:30a.m February 13, 2011. In a couple hours from now I will be live on stage, stroking the chords of my guitar, with words and songs to stir and entertain an expectant audience. I hope I do alright. But I’m sure I will. Usually, I do.

The days have run by so quick since my audition in October 2010. At the time, Valentine’s Day seemed like a really long time away, and the air of anxiety that blew across my face these past few days held still and mild.

Yesterday, I felt a strong wind blow at rehearsals. That sort of anxious wind that blows within a podium or beneath its pulpit; always present to greet, size and shake up the next amateur to approach the microphone. And not even my feigning pro could prevent its ploy. It got me for a little bit. Well, maybe more than a little. But I was glad it was only "rehearsals."

Today at 6pm I hope to own the stage. I hope to strip Mr. Anxiety off its insidious ploys and the scheming manipulative games it plays.

In retrospect, it was a bit hard creating a balance between the rigors of school, tests, labs, study, and meeting with my boys for practice and jam sessions. Then there were the hassles of carrying the guitar from home to class every other day, and dreading being compelled to play in class...ha!- well I eventually did, and it turned out to be a fun time for everyone.

I will always remember these days; the rushing to the clothes store in the wake of the morning with hope that the shirt I window shopped and constantly dreamed of the previous night hadn't been bought and taken off the stand; dashing out of my room at 6:50 am to meet up with an interview appointment on the radio set at 7 a.m(its about 20 minutes from my home to campus)- but you know they had to wait. And I'm sure that these memories will remain to help provide me with pleasant moments of nostalgia on a melancholic moonless night...

One such night after practice on campus, on my home in a taxi, I got off at my stop and forgot my guitar in the trunk. When I realized about 10 minutes later, a few steps away from my home gate, I went back to the park in search for it, and stayed waiting until about 10:30 pm. I did not see the taxi nor my guitar. Sad. I had assignments to complete the same night, and class the next day for 7a.m -this would be where I would catch up with most of the hours of sleep I missed that night. I was drained.

I found the taxi the next day during break at 11 a.m. Talk about being ecstatic :).And I was glad for the protection and mercies He gave. I still am.

For me though, the show will be a success when I can send a message across in our celebration of Love. To rekindle the hearts in our audience, the true nature of love. A love given to us from above; from God who is the author of Love; who loved the whole earth so much that he gave. And today at 6pm, it is my desire that I too, can give…in a soothing melody that will appeal to the soul.

For I am glad and grateful for these blessings that He gave to, even, me.