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	November 5th
	I haven’t been to a concert in years.  OK. I took Dante to see Transibirian Orchestra when my sister Sanya was performing with them in Tampa, FL.  But that doesn’t count. I had an ulterior motive: I went to see my sister.  So, on Saturday, Matthew literally pushed me out of the door to go to see Elton John.  Our friend Scott (who is a concert “junkie” and knows how to get the best seats at the last minute, for the best price!) got us a few tickets.  I was a bit nervous to leave my boys behind with a sitter, so Matthew volunteered to stay home with them (even the baby) – I did leave him with a bottle of the good stuff (breast milk).  We were off – Scott, T.J. and me!  Oh, by the way T.J. has been staying with us and engineering my new lullaby album which is being produced in Los Angeles by Denny Bouchard. I was very excited when we got there – the place was packed with thousands of beautiful people (who were beautiful because they seemed happy and relaxed.)  When the concert started (promptly on time! – let that be a lesson to us – then again, Elton John does not have a four month old who decides to nurse a minute before the curtain call!) I found myself clapping my hands like Dante would do when he was three years old and I’d tell him I’d buy him an ice-cream cone.  And then, just like that, Elton John came out, sat by the grand piano, greeted us and started to play.  Without belly dancers, jumping fires, moving platforms or flying ropes -just great music.  I like Elton’s music.  He has written some great songs – and that’s probably the reason why he is still packing the arenas around the world after 24 years.  I listened to the music, I admired the musicianship – every band member was awesome. T.J. and I gawked over the sound booth (we had great seats) and lighting gear.  On our way to the concerts, we noticed their bus fleet.  Beautiful, big star coaches.  And not just one.  Six of them.  Sir Elton John looked a bit chubby, a bit tired, but otherwise happy, very stylish and very normal.  I liked the way he greeted his audience and expressed his gratitude.  He seemed to have enjoyed playing for two and a half hours.  I thought – there is no difference between them and us – they play music, we play music, their music touches people in its own way, our music touches people in its own way.  No different, really.  Sure, their crowds are a bit larger and their fees are a “bit” bigger, and yes, Sir Elton doesn’t have to paint his own rooms and worry about how to furnish his living room and where to get pieces that fit his budget, or pay attention on how much is a tuition for an art class for his kids (oh, he doesn’t have kids), or worry about the gas prices, but those are life’s little details that don’t really bother me.  So, we have what they have.  Except… they have nice buses.  And we only need one nice bus.  I was so happy I got to see the concert and experience the music, I came home very inspired.  And the boys did just fine – Blais took a bottle, no problem, and when he was ready for more, I was already there.		The best things in life are free!
	But it was the next night when I realized the difference between us and Elton John.  I remembered it.  From the days of my career in Croatia.  The very next night, the boys and me went to something that is called the “Lantern Walk” and it’s a new tradition here in our little town.  Someone started it three years ago – after an old German tradition.  First year, there were only a handful of people, the next year about a hundred and this year there were at least five times that.  There we were, walking through the neighborhood with all kinds of lanterns, talking to each other, carrying little kids or pushing them in strollers.  I asked a bunch of people what was the meaning behind the walk, but no one knew for sure.  And they didn’t really care.  All that mattered was that we all came out of our “little boxes we call homes” on that beautiful autumn night to experience something as a community.  Regardless of our faith or backgrounds (and you can hear Russian, Spanish, Danish, German, Croatian being spoken). Even our parish priest was there walking with us carrying a lantern that a caring parishioner got for him.  It was a wonderful experience.  Dante and Evan had such a great time (Blais slept through it, but I am sure he enjoyed the fresh air, at least)!  Coming back home that night I was so happy – and I was reminded how much more I have got than Sir Elton John.  He could never show up for the “Lantern Walk” – imagine the security the town would have to provide.  I remembered my own experiences when I was back in Croatia and wanted to go on a town picnic or a pilgrimage.  It was impossible.  And although I enjoyed my fame, I longed for simple, ordinary things.  And now I have both – I have my music, great spiritually fulfilling concerts, and I have a chance to enjoy my family.
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