An eagle, a deacon & so much joy

I woke up this morning with a smile on my face and my first thought wasn’t about my loss. How amazing is that?

Last night I attended the Eagles Long Goodbye Final Tour in Tulsa. Joe’s sister & her husband were gracious enough to buy me a ticket to go with them. The Eagles are my all-time favorite band, and Don Henley could sing the phone book to me and I’d be happy. Joe even knew Don was the only man I’d ever leave him for. Don or Sam Elliott, but that’s for another blog.

I was a little apprehensive to go at first. Not sure how I would react to some of the songs Joe & I have listened to together on quiet evenings in the backyard or singing in the car on long road trips. But the minute they started playing all of that just melted away.

Don was, well Don. He hasn’t lost a step, and that smoky voice was just as I remembered it. I was blown away by Vince Gill. He is such an amazing talent, and from right here in Oklahoma. His voice fit so well with the band, and he is a master on that guitar. And Deacon Frey, the late, great Glenn Frey’s son. I’m certain his dad was beaming with pride all the way from heaven. What an old soul he is, melding with the rest of the group like he’d been there all along.

But this isn’t a review of the concert or even a blog about my favorite band. It’s about the corner I turned last night as I sang every single song, only shed a few tears, and found joy again! It felt so good to be enjoying the music, soaking up the melodies while memories were flooding my mind. My Joe was never more than a second from my thoughts, and in a way I felt like I was experiencing this for both us. We’d seen the Eagles and Don Henley many times before.

Perhaps it was knowing this could be the last time I would see them because they aren’t going to tour forever! Or are they? Perhaps it was because music was the single most important outside influence in our marriage. I can’t tell you why, but whatever the reason, I am so grateful for the chance to sit in that sold out arena, with Joe’s sister by my side. I realized that it’s okay to enjoy life without him.

I think in some way, Joe was there to make sure I received that message. He will always have the best of my love, and I’m thankful for the peaceful, easy feeling that has washed over me.