I Need a Miracle

My first Grateful Dead show I wandered with wonderment and excitement. The energy that surrounded the area was awesome. It was alive. This was very different then any of the concerts I had ever been to.

Small drum circles were scattered through out the parking lot and the fields close by. You could see in the distance people dancing and laughing.  As we passed by a circle, my friends and I would join and dance to their hypnotic beat. We’d make friends and share a bit of conversation, then move on dancing and meeting more people.  

As we walked through the crowd on to the gates of the arena, I hear in the distance, “I need a miracle.” “Can someone give me a miracle?” I wasn’t quite sure what it meant, but I watched these people wandering around asking for miracles. Then my friend approached a person and pulled out a ticket, he said “here my friend, enjoy.” A miracle was gift of an extra ticket to enter the show.  It was gifted with nothing in return expected. I need a miracle is all they called out and people gave them miracles.  My friend said he was once given a miracle and he hoped that his gift would bring as much to that man as it did him.

It was the best concert ever! We camped out at grounds not too far from the venue. There were others who camped too.  That night as we sat in our area chatting. Then we saw people roaming through the grounds, yelling, “Come eat with us, we made plenty of food.” “Come one come all everyone is welcome.” So, I of course we joined. I’m sure there were more than 50 people, most of the people on the grounds. We sat together, ate and talked. Mainly to strangers we had never met.  After dinner we helped clean, then watched the fire as people danced and drummed till bed time. 

The next day after the second show we headed back to the camp grounds, this time we had bought groceries. To my astonishment so did everyone else. We took it to the bus that originally made the food for us the night before. And this time, we all shared in cooking together. We spent another evening sharing in coversation but this time among friends.

Those years had brought so much realization to me. The kindness and heart that a community of strangers made. Living in a big city it seemed like this kindness was rare. I never realized how much the experience of a Grateful Dead Show had impacted my life. But, I learned so much at the shows. I’ve gone to many concerts after and not one can compare to the community I experienced. Sadly, the show doesn’t continue, but I hope the kindness does. That those who shared in a meal with me that evening, will continue to share that with others.

This weekend I’m off to a concert. I hope I can give someone a miracle…

And you? What miracle can you give to someone without asking for anyting in return?