Last weekend I went to Nashville for a belated birthday trip. One of my best friends from college and I flew in to meet there. The trip was for us, but I knew it would bear reminders of Tony at every turn.
I enjoy some country music and prefer the 90’s era from my high school years. These days country music isn’t my natural go to like it was Tony’s. Since he passed, I don’t listen to that much of it unless someone else is controlling the playlist.
After checking into the hotel Friday afternoon my friend and I set off to get food and start exploring Nashville. We went the wrong way and stumbled on the Country Music Walk of Fame. Almost immediately I look down at the stars and see Tony’s favorite artist, Eric Church.
A few blocks later we are crossing a street when I see a dime. I get halfway across the street, stop and tell my friend I must go back. We retreat to the curb so I can pick up the dime. I don’t normally buy into the belief that dimes/cardinals/etc. are signs from a loved one. However, I was drawn backward. Especially following the Eric Church star sighting.
We finally make our way to the location she picked out for lunch. It’s on Church St. because of course it is. At this point I am fully accepting all the signs, coincidences, and neon lights from Tony.
I knew going into the trip that this would be a city scene that he would love. So, I expected to find reminders of him everywhere. I just didn’t think they would be so overt and in my face within the first hour.
After all those flashing lights, we figured we may as well embrace it. We made our way to Chief’s, Eric Church’s bar on Broadway. Making our way up the 5-story establishment, we stopped at the piano bar, peeked into the small venue music chapel, and had drinks at the rooftop with a hell of a view. I learned from the bartender that Eric was playing a live show Sunday night, but we hadn’t done enough research to be in the know. Tony would have never missed that opportunity! After a few hours we made our way back to the first level where I spent way too much on merchandise to take home to the boys.
The rest of the weekend there were small nods to Tony when I’d hear a song that reminded me of him. But I was never grief stricken with it all. I like to think he gave me a few signs he was there, then let me have a good weekend with a great friend.
Once I got home Sunday, the boys were so excited about their new Eric Church, Chief’s bar shirts. My oldest told me, “I didn’t need a gift, I got you as a mom.” Then he proceeded to wear his new shirt to school today. It must be a hell of a view for Tony, watching these kids we made.
