Sing along with me…

I fully realize that this is a theme for me. I’ve written about it before and I’m moved to write about it now.

I love this video of Billy Joel in concert at Shea Stadium in a 2008 event to commemorate the stadium’s closing. From the moment his fingers land on the keys he’s got the audience engaged. Then when the few notes begin the audience leans forward…they know what’s coming next. A few soulful bars from the harmonica, then…

“It’s 9:00 on a Saturday, the regular crowd shuffles in…”

And everyone begins to sing along.

(For those of you who just can’t wait, the magic moment comes at 4:55)

What’s that like? To have the words that became phrases and phrases combine with notes to become a song and the song sung so much it’s become a part of our collective songbook.

We all know the words by heart.

What’s that like? To hear those words that were born out of a creative moment, possibly even a moment of insecurity and a lack of confidence, “Will anyone like this?” “Will this ever amount to anything?” To hear those words echoing back to you from their hearts to yours.

For someone who builds and creates there can be no greater joy than to hear your own words coming back to you. To hear those thoughts and dreams and words and pictures that were once so private and only lived in your heart now echoed throughout a stadium, from stages all over the world, in a dark car on a late night road trip or sitting around a campfire singing along with your very best friends.

It’s so easy to keep those treasures locked up inside. It’s easy not to share, not to write, not to draw or paint or create. But we need those things that you have. That’s part of living in community. We each bring something to the table. That’s the way our lives are interlocked. Because we share.

How will we ever know the treasure that’s locked up in your heart unless you tell us?

Tell us a story. Paint us a picture. Write us a poem. Inspire us. Motivate us. Entertain us. Move us.

Sing us a song, you’re the piano man.

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