Micro-connections

This summer I was lucky enough to go to two ‘big’ gigs, only a week apart; one a birthday present to myself  and both times I went alone. The second gig was a lot bigger, Nick Cave, 25,000+  people packed into a park.

I strolled in without really thinking about it; maybe like the last gig, if I had thought about the numbers I would have been overwhelmed, but after a stressful week at work I was up for it.  And in a funny sort of way it felt less intimidating, despite the extra 10,000 people.

Needless to say, it was a great night with plenty of banter and mostly good-humoured fans packed together, all shuffling for space and the best views as we shouted and danced into the night.

Again, unlocking my bike for the ride home, two women were doing the same. One asked which way I was going and when I told her, asked if she could come with me, as her friend was going the other way. 

As we pushed our bikes through the heaving crowd, she introduced herself as Kate.  She said she was in her first year of recovery from cancer, and now was determined to live life to the full.

She’d never listened to a single Nick Cave song until today, but as her friend had a spare ticket she grabbed the chance. She also hadn’t cycled for a while, so she appreciated the company.

She told me she was still being tested for cancer and saw every day as an opportunity for living. If this was going to be her last day, she could happily say it had been one of the best.   

We talked briefly about our own lives, we’d both travelled and wanted to see more of the world. She said I was brave for travelling solo round Spain & Portugal and hoped to do something similar. 

When we finally parted ways I thought about Kate. She was the one who seemed truly brave to me, and so open and vulnerable with a complete stranger.

Connection doesn’t always have to be with people you’ve been around for years, and not everyone has that anyway, but this brief encounter definitely had an impact.   

It doesn’t always come easy to people either, but when you do put yourself out there, however small that connection is, you may be pleasantly surprised.  Sometimes we’re hungry for it without realising. Or, maybe it’s just an opportunity to reset in  that moment.