The Concert - Part 5 - The Concert

Parents and teens trickled in. The first band was going to start at six-thirty. We all crossed our fingers that more people would show up. Doug had asked me to let him know when the first band started. He’d come back down then.

The opening band was good, and played four songs. There were probably close to seventy-five people there by the time they started. Close to seven, they finished. I walked over to the door to tell the parents on bouncer-handstamp duty that we were expecting two very special guests. G’ma Claudia and G’pa Kevin were on their way. I explained that we were able to use the barn thanks to them. I also explained that G’pa was very ill. Our dear, sweet wonderful G’pa has terminal cancer. He’d had a rough chemo treatment and G’ma wasn’t sure how long they’d stay, but they were definitely coming. 

When they walked in the door, I felt the tension I hadn’t realized was there, leave my shoulders. I was so very happy to see them make it. Doug walked in shortly after, and the boys began their show. 

Frank has not always been a confident kid. We’ve seen that change over the course of the last three or four years. He became a competitive swimmer, and he became friends with a group of kids who share his passion for music, as well as his creativity. It was great to see him right up front, the lead singer, making announcements, bantering with his band mates in between songs . . . G’ma and I stood near the front, both in awe of this boy we love heart and soul.

Before their third song, Frank spoke. “Guys, guys,” he began. “Listen up. This is a special song and we’re dedicating it to everyone who helped make this happen, our parents and my grandparents, G’ma Claudia and G’pa Kevin.” Applause broke out and my tear-filled eyes met Frank’s. To say I’m proud of him, doesn’t scratch the surface of the emotion I was feeling. They played Sideways. And if you’ve ever read anything on this blog, you know how special that song is to me. 

G’ma and G’pa lasted until the last song, and left right before the encore. I am so happy they were able to stay that long, and I know, without a doubt, that Kevin loved every single minute he was there. Every single one. His eyes were filled with pride, and love was written all over his face. What an incredibly special memory that will be.

The show was amazing. As I looked around the room, I saw the same pride etched on the faces of the rest of the parents as I was feeling. None of us had any idea a week ago that the boys were as good as they are.

The show ended around 8:45. By nine the barn was cleaner than it had been when we arrived, thanks to the boys and their parents, and the boys were on their way to a celebratory after-show dinner, at MacDonald's. They still, after all, are teenagers.

Frank came in to talk to me when he got home. I expected him to talk non-stop, and tell me all about how he felt, how he thought it went. He did a little of that, but then he stopped. He leaned back and closed his eyes. I watched as a little smile formed on his face. He was peaceful, serene, and happy. What a wonderful thing for a mom to witness.

I will never forget this week. It was full of twist and turns, but in the end, it was magical. It is the start of something for these boys. Who knows where it will lead them, but none of them will ever forget last night. The Lost and the Lonely. Keep your eye out for them. They’re gonna be huge.