Originally posted on Back Talk, Journey's Official Fan Forum upon the release of Arrival
When I heard
that a new album was in the works, I got a little nervous. Not for the
reasons some would think -- I was supremely confident that Steve and
Deen would make a wonderful addition to my favorite band. No, I was
concerned because historically (since 1981 at least) when a new Journey
album has come out, my life has been at a very low point and I would
find myself immersed in the new album as solace.
When I realized this pattern, I initially thought, well, Escape, Frontiers, Raised on Radio…
I was thirteen, fifteen, and eighteen, respectively, when they came
out, a teenager, and going through all those teenaged traumas (and some
"grown up" ones as well) - I figured it was just a part of growing up.
But then, 10 years after I'd left those dark days behind, Trial By Fire
came out -- immediately following a year spent attending more funerals
than I could imagine and when my career seemed headed into the trash
heap. So once again I put on the music and shut out the world and let my
soul do some much needed healing, and looked for the strength to move
forward again.
A little over
two years ago, my thirtieth birthday arrived, and I decided that I was
going to celebrate in a big way and take charge of my life instead of
letting my life take charge of me. So, in a move of impulse that shocked
most of my friends and family, I boarded a plane and flew all night
from San Francisco to Detroit to finally, after eighteen years of missed
opportunities, finally see my favorite band perform live. It was a
great birthday present - made better by a new friend who had some after
show passes and invited me along. Best birthday present I ever gave
myself!
Since that
time, lots of things in my life have gone in a very positive direction,
and the last two years have been the happiest ones of my life. Things
have just been going right in so many ways. I've rediscovered a part of
my soul that had been missing in action for close to twenty years. I
have no intention of losing it again. So, you can see, the association
of bad times and a new Journey album had me a little nervous!
I received my copy of Arrival
the other day, and discovered that once again I have an album I can't
turn off. Only this time, instead of helping me heal my wounds, it is
helping me celebrate all that is right. I have often found my life
reflected in music of Journey. [Nearly] twenty years ago it was "Mother,
Father" that sang of my life and helped me hold on. Now it's "To Be
Alive Again" that has found all that is right and shares my joy.
So thank you for helping me through the hard times, and now, even more, thank you for helping me celebrate the good ones!
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