Tuesday night I got to see Rush again.
A thing I honestly never thought would happen.
And it did.
The world is beautiful, abundant, and I am deeply grateful.
I went with my son Riley, my wife Jennie, and our friends Tom and Chrystal. I even ran into an old high school friend, Danny.
Since the show, I've read dozens of people's stories and reactions. I find myself agreeing with so many of them. There is a shared love for Rush that is hard to explain to anyone who wasn't there.
We didn't just listen to the music.
We grew up with it.
For many of us, especially during those formative teenage years, the songs weren't entertainment. They became part of how we saw ourselves. Part of our identity. Part of how we understood the world.
So standing there with thousands of people, singing, cheering, roaring with the crowd...
You have to believe me.
It was something more than a concert.
I've seen Rush many times over the years, and somehow this might have been my favorite, other than the first time I saw them back in 1986.
It felt magical.
And yes, I know I use that word a lot.
But sometimes it's the right word.
The blessings, bounties, and small miracles of life occasionally line up in a way that opens the heart wider than you expected.
I cried during the Neil Peart tribute.
Then they played Bravado.
And if love remains...
That was pretty much it for me.
And because she's been such a topic of conversation, I have to say something about Anika.
She was perfect.
Absolutely perfect.
After opening weekend, I heard plenty of opinions. Some people said she nailed it. Others said she wasn't right for the job.
I told my friend Tom, "We'll find out for ourselves on Tuesday."
And we did.
She was phenomenal.
No one replaces Neil. No one can.
But Anika brought exactly what was needed: skill, power, respect, heart, and her own presence. I couldn't have been happier with what she brought to that stage, and I'm deeply grateful to her, Geddy, and Alex for making this possible.
Some experiences exceed expectations.
A few absolutely shatter them.
Those are the moments that remind me what I keep talking about:
Preserve awe.
Stay open to surprise and delight.
The universe occasionally gives you something far better than you dared hope for.
Tuesday night was one of those gifts.