Too old for this...

This weekend my fiance took me to see the Indigo Girls in Charlotte. Little did we know that we would end up standing against the stage. The tickets were described as theatre in the round - they left off the part about the absence of chairs in the round. Nonetheless it was an amazing concert.

Sappy is not a word that I have ever used to describe myself. But, there was something about being out in a predominantly lesbian crowd that brought out the sappiness in me. I must also admit that it forced me to face my own prejudices. Many of you know that I have been scared of lesbians for years - I know, I know, I was avoiding my own sexuality. This was the first time that I had been around more than one or two other gay folks since I came out. It was amazing and nurturing. I also was able to face my preconceived notion that all lesbian couples have butch and femme roles, except for us - we are both somewhere in the middle, as were most of the couples at the concert. I'm a bit embarrassed to be writing about this, but I suspect that I am not the only person with these thoughts.

I love the Indigo Girls for their powerful lyrics. Today, the song, "Let it be me" seems particularly timely. I will end with these words:

Sticks and stones
Battle zones
A single light bulb
On a single thread for the black
Sirens wail
History fails
Rose-colored glass
Begins to age and crack
While the politicians shadowbox
The power ring
In an endless split decision
Never solve anything
From a neighbors distant land
I heard the strain of the common man

Let it be me
(this is not a fighting song)
Let it be me
(not a wrong for a wrong)
Let it be me
If the world is night
Shine my life like a light

Well the world seems spent
And the president
Has no good idea
Of who the masses are
Well Im one of them
And Im among friends
Were trying to see beyond
The fences in our own backyards
Ive seen the kingdoms blow
Like ashes in the winds of change
But the power of truth
Is the fuel for the flame
So the darker the ages get
Theres a stronger beacon yet

Let it be me
(this is not a fighting song)
Let it be me
(not a wrong for a wrong)
Let it be me
If the world is night
Shine my life like a light

In the kind word you speak
In the turn of the cheek
When your vision stays clear
In the face of your fear
Then you see turning out a light switch
Is their only power
When we stand like spotlights
In a mighty tower
All for one and one for all
Then we sing the common call

Let it be me
(this is not a fighting song)
Let it be me
(not a wrong for a wrong)
Let it be me
If the world is night
Shine my life like a light.

May I know my neighbors, may you see beyond the fence in your backyard, may we sing the common call. Let it begin with me.