It was barely noon, but the gloomy November rain made it feel more like midnight when I jumped in my rental Chevy and began the journey from Nashville International towards the small town of Elizabethton. Part of me was wondering what on earth was I doing here all by myself, but somehow those huge raindrops pattering against the windshield made the view outside so sadly beautiful, that for a moment I forgot everything else. I just kept on driving, admiring the gorgeous nature around me. Somewhere along the way, raindrops turned into sleet, and by the time I reached the city lights, it was already snowing. To give you a little background, it had been a rough year. I had just moved to a country all new to me to pursue my dreams, and though I was excited, I also felt lost and out of place. Nothing seemed to come easy, every little thing was a struggle and no matter how hard I tried, I just did not seem to fit in. I felt lonely and had no one to turn to. Every morning I forced myself to get out of bed and try a little harder, only to feel even more like a failure by the end of the day. I needed a break. When I decided to take the flight to Nashville and drive 300 miles across Tennessee to go see my favorite musician in a small town I had never even heard of before, I was not expecting the world. I was excited, of course, nervous, everything in between. I was hoping I would get a chance to say a few words to the person who had been such a positive influence in my life.
To let him know how someway, somehow, those songs, those lyrics gave me just enough strength to get through the night and believe tomorrow might be worth it. I was hoping for a night free of stress. So far the trip had been more than I expected. Driving through Tennessee was already making me forget my worries. Elizabethton was beautiful. It was barely past Halloween season, yet the main street was already filled with Christmas decorations. Snow was slowly falling, making the town look almost magical, like a scene from a post card. The town was welcoming, comforting, but as I walked through the snow covered streets towards the venue, I couldn’t help feeling anxious. The venue must have been a theatre once, with its high ceilings and velvet carpets, almost reminding me of an old movie.
I stepped in through the heavy wooden doors and was astonished by the warm, historical atmosphere. I may have been able to admire the beauty a little more, had I not been so nervous. I will never forget walking into the green room of the theater for the meet and greet. I was so nervous I was literally shaking, and when it was my turn to say hi, I could barely speak. I was expecting this person to just briefly say hello and move on, even that would have made my day. This person is a world famous musician, I felt unworthy of even being in his presence. Instead of a quick hello, he smiled to me and put his arms around me, squeezing me tight, telling me how wonderful it was to finally meet me. Asking about my life, talking to me like I was the only person in the room and he was honored to meet me, not the other way around. He was so kind I was close to tears. No one had ever been so kind to me before. No one had ever made me feel like I was worth anything. Yet here was this person who had no reason to give me the time of the day, making sure I felt important and accepted. Like for once, I actually mattered. All of a sudden all the pain I’d been carrying just vanished.
I was not sad, lonely or out of place anymore. Right there in that old theater in Tennessee I felt something new I had never felt before. I felt like home. Somehow I knew that moment would change my life. And it did. I stepped out of the theater into the cold November night. My cheeks were tickling from the cold and my leather jacket was not doing much to keep me warm as I walked through the quiet streets towards my car. Yet I felt such peace I had never experienced before. It’s been a while, but to this day, whenever I visit Tennessee I remember that night and can’t help but feel grateful. Sometimes the kindness of strangers can truly make all the difference in the world.
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