Recently, I saw a video featuring a performer named Rhiannon Giddens. The video was called “Another Wasted Life,” and featured a group of exonerated prisoners through an organization you may have heard of: The Innocence Project. I looked it up online.

As life would have it, Ms. Giddens would be performing at the Tree House Brewing Co. in South Deerfield on July 31, which happened to be the day before my birthday. “This is what I want!” I exclaimed to my husband. It had some sweet symmetry, as I had bought tickets for us to see James Taylor at Tanglewood for his birthday earlier in the month.

These two events in the span of a month were more concerts than I have attended in the previous 10 years. You see, I have bought into the idea of myself as someone who hates crowds.

I am currently serving as interim pastor at United Church of Bernardston. I am enjoying it. But in the evening, I’m tired. I love working hard while my energy lasts. But, at this stage in life (no comments, please), when I come home, I like to (a word from my New York City years) “plotz.” Home is my refuge, my sanctuary, my retreat from the world. (Can I get an “amen?”) The night of the concert was no different. I was sitting on the couch when the idea came to me, “Tell Grace to go with her brother.” I wanted to bale. I didn’t want to get off the couch. Just have a bite, putter a bit, turn in early. Yeah, that’s what I wanted.

At the top of the stairs, I knocked on her door. “Yes?” “Hey, honey, I’ve got an idea.” I told her my thoughts and her answer surprised me. “Mom. Why are you and Dad being so old?” A bit embarrassed, I had to chuckle. “Well, because we are kind of old.” 

“No, you’re not,” she protested (bless her), “you need to go, Mom.” A few beats pass. “You’re right,” I said sheepishly. I closed the door quietly and called out to my husband, “Grace says we should go.” My daughter, for a moment, my mom.

“She’s right,” he said. We got ready and headed out.

I really do hate crowds. I also hate schlepping. But how far was South Deerfield? Not exactly Tanglewood. We did have to park in the off-site parking lot, a mile from the venue. But the shuttle was painless, and mercifully, the concert was at 7 p.m., not the ungodly 8 or 9 p.m., when I’m close to signing off for the day.

There was a hold-up due to weather, but we weathered that. The night cleared up and my heart was so uplifted by the people, the beauty of the sunset and the food we had from the Thai Chili food truck.

And there was the concert, which took our breath away. Rhiannon was soul perfection.

In the United Church of Christ we say, “Enjoy this Life.” In times like these it is so very important. Don’t postpone joy. Work for justice (Innocence Project, etc.). And be sure to have people in your life who give you the kick in the pants to get out there and enjoy this life.

The Rev. Julie G. Olmsted lives in Northampton with her husband, Jeff. She is the interim pastor at United Church of Bernardston.

United Church of Bernardston is a joint denomination of United Church of Christ (UCC) and United Methodist Church (UMC). Summer services (until Sept. 8) are at 9:30 a.m. Choir rehearsals begin Thursday, Sept. 5 at the church. Come join us! We love children and they are most welcome in the service. Sept. 8 we will have adult Bible study on the Book of James, 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m., when the service goes back to 10:30 am. You can view the service on Facebook from our website: www.unitedchurchofbernardston.org. For more information, call the office at 413-648-9306. We are an open and Affirming/Reconciling Ministries congregation. Come as you are; be inspired, grow closer to God!