Common Thread

Last night I gave my farewell performance to Salt Lake City.  At the beginning of the evening, I passed around pen and paper to the audience and asked them to write down a life dream they have.  I said it can be as simple as desiring chocolate cake after the show, or the dream of starting your own business.  Several anonymous people dropped their dream in my hat for me to read, along with generous monetary gifts. 

This afternoon I sat down to read the bits of folded lined paper, partnered with scribbles of handwriting in ink of blacks and blues.  When I've done this pen and paper activity in the past, people share a full variety of their life dreams in dreamy specificity. They dream of going to college, fitting into their pre-birth clothes, or becoming a millionaire.  With last night's audience, I am amazed and curious at the common thread weaving in and out of the room.  

• "My dream is to "make love" to the pain of the world and offer it comfort and grace."

• "to be starstruck by my love and to starstruck him back with love..."

• I'd like to die and end the pain.  I wish to be the greatest dad ever in the meantime." (love)

• "To have the sweet love of the couple in from of me. To heal, to nurture, to grow freely..."

• "A lifetime of peace, love, and happiness with my family to include: no heartache, suffering or pain, endless fun, laughing and smiling, service to each other, no fear, restriction, or reservation and NO worrying, an environment with no hate, violence, or mistreatment of others."

• "Love- pure passion and truth, children finding their light, being with souls that remind me of home, my love, my angels.  Love, pure simple utter love." 

I want to remind those who were present last night that we activated these beautiful dreams throughout the evening in every song I sang for you, and just as powerful in its pure silence....we witnessed your hearts.

I thank you, Salt Lake City, for sending me off on my cross country trip with such a precious last memory of a room full of every day lovers.