Hey Bre! Happy Birthday!
I wanted to put together something for your birthday. I gifted Jami a framed print of mine of which I still have a few, but I don’t know if you’ve ever seen or would like my photographs. So, knowing your love of books and reading, music and spirituality, I wanted to put together a few links to sites and sounds that really impact my everyday life. We’ve all got our private worlds and part of wanting to spend more time with you is to just find out the things that you really value and enjoy, while finding ways to share with you some of the more tender things that I quietly enjoy all to myself. I don’t give away a lot about myself at work, so here you go! A whole website. Crazy, right? It isn’t much, (I’m going to try and be intentionally brief here) but I hope you find something you will be happy to have found.
“On Being” is a podcast hosted by a woman named Krista Tippett. She interviews a wide variety of people about their spiritual backgrounds whether that background be in religion, art, psychology, science, activism, et cetera. There are some beautiful stories told there. I’m listening to a story now from Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn, and they are talking about their music and travels. There is laughter and good feelings all around. It’s banjo (they are banjo players) and I love banjo, but there are SO many interviews and so much to hear. Of everything I could share I think you might like this.
“Brain Pickings” is a similar source for learning and discovery for me. It is a blog by a younger woman named Maria Popova. Where “On Being” is usually an hour investment “Brain Pickings” is a five minute read or half hour of browsing. I use it less now than in the past, but it's still a source I like to visit when I’m searching for a book to read or a writer or idea I wouldn't otherwise think about that day.
After that, all I have is music. Right now, I’m listening to the new album by The Tallest Man on Earth, and am really into it. I was at different times obsessed with a hundred different musicians/bands, but he was one of them and one of the few I ever committed myself to learning on guitar. May even consider going to the show in Covington, KY in a couple weeks time, especially if you wanted to (and we could both get off work too) go together.
Aaron Embry is one I usually get to introduce people to for the first time. (This song is one of my all time favorite songs, especially this version) He is a great piano/guitar player. He may be a bit unusual for some as a singer/songwriter/person, but he’s a special one for me. “Tiny Prayers” is his first album and a good one to listen to, but before that I remember seeing him as the piano player in Edward Sharpe when they were touring back in the day. I don't know who else. We could play this game sometime with an aux cord so you can know all the weirder music I also love. Just wanted to share a few I thought you would like.
Anyway, I hope your family makes your birthday special for you! You mentioned a few times how you felt about being another year older, how things maybe haven't gone as planned, and I just wanted to say that's normal. I know you know that, but I feel like it's nice to be reassured still. And while I would like to hear you tell more of your story sometime so I could know it better I wanted to say I’ve known a lot of people in my life and when I see you I see someone with a lot going for them. Your personal story is always gonna be more personally complicated and frustrating than any you will ever read. I get bogged down in my own from time to time, but I try and guide myself more by the things I can say about myself rather than what I can say about my accomplishments or my own story. That’s where I think contentment and happiness really come from, because at the very least I think it's always going to be enough if you can say that you're trying and we all are!
That's all I got. Happy Birthday Bre! I’m really glad I get to know you, and am always looking towards the things and times that let me know you better.
-Travis