Post by Rhonda on Feb 11, 2006 7:31:07 GMT -5
"Before the music ends"
by Bob Perks
"You really love your music," she said.
It was early. I had no idea what she was talking about. I always joke that
even though I am moving about, dressed for work and appear to be functioning,
I don't wake up until 10 a.m.
"I saw you pull into the lot and I could hear the music playing."
I started laughing. I realized that I had been blasting my stereo in the car. I was listening to
Michael Crawford. You may know him from "Phantom of the Opera."
This was a live recording of a concert he did and there are a few songs that really burn in
my soul. As I am driving down the road I can be seen singing at the top of my lungs.
But there is a point on this CD that most of you might not relate to. It is the closing music,
a reprise of a song he did earlier.
"On Eagle's Wings."
Mr. Crawford thanks the crowd, takes his bow and heads off stage as the
music fills the auditorium. Of course, if you have ever watched a concert, you
know there will be more at this point.
There must be an encore.
Whenever I listen to this part, I close my eyes. I stop what I'm doing
and remember, perhaps imagine and dream a little, too.
I have finished speaking. I have closed with a song. I have drained
nearly every bit of myself and feeling content with having done so, I stand
center stage and die for a moment.
Yes, die. I envision myself so fulfilled, so complete that I cannot ever
imagine it could get better than this.
It's like Heaven.
I was at that very point when I pulled into the parking lot. The music was
so very intense for me that I could not shut off the car. I had to hear it end.
There was a recent commercial when a young man did the same thing. His girlfriend
got out of the car and waited for him as he sat listening to a song finish.
He could never walk away before the music ends.
It was this very thought that gripped my soul afterwards. There have been times when I
thought I should just quit, walk away from a project or a dream. I was feeling down, perhaps
depressed and I could not see the good in anything that was happening.
The world spins, God creates, days come and go, seconds, minutes, hours perfectly planned
take place and life continues on. Perfect timing. Everything in time with the cycle of life. A musical
version of the beginning and ending of the world.
Each of us come to the spot on the stage and stand before the world and fitting in perfect
harmony, we play the song that is ours. The sun rises and sets. More players come and go.
The tragedy we see and acknowledge is when a life is cut too short, too soon.
The sadness we feel and react to. is hearing that someone has given up on their dream. The dream,
a song, their song, is never fully played and the world suffers greatly.
What song are you? What part do you play? Why, why would you think, even for a moment, that
it is time for you to stop dreaming, believing playing your song.
Stay. The stage is yours and The Maestro stands, baton raised, waiting.
The best part is ahead of you.
Don't go "before the music ends."
