Hi Neighbor!
Life has a way of coming full circle when unexpected moments recreate themselves from a previous time in our lives. Last week I had a full circle moment when I was lucky enough to attend the rescheduled Bruce Springsteen concert at Citizens Bank Park. But before the full circle moment occurred, my intro to the Boss began…
Bruce, because everyone’s on a first name basis with the Boss, was one of the first artists I became obsessed with as a teen. I would sit for hours in my room mesmerized by the album covers, staring at the pictures and artwork, repeating and memorizing the lyrics while the vinyl’s circled round and round on my stereo.
Bruce was also my first big stadium concert, rocking out during the Born in the USA tour at the Spectrum. The thrill of that moment, screaming at the top of my lungs as his silhouette appeared on stage, music pounding out the anthem of the title track, is a thrill still felt in these tired bones. I remember every moment of that experience: driving to the stadium in the fall of my senior year in college, getting lost navigating the highways around the Spectrum, what I wore (red t-shirt, denim mini skirt), the beer I drank.
None of it would have been possible, though, without my sister. She came up with tickets, giving me two so I could bring a friend. It was loud, it was exciting, and I was grateful. I knew I needed more of this ruckus in my life.
I went on to see Bruce Springsteen over a dozen times in different cities and venues, during different album releases and incarnations. Never again with my sister, though. When the Boss was coming back to the City of Brotherly Love, I knew I had to be there. And so, I experienced a full circle moment.
I took my sister. Returned the favor almost 40 years later. Attended my first Springsteen concert with her, might as well see my last with her. Celebrating our love of the Boss together as we belted out the words to Thunder Road in a prelude to his finale with 40,000 other adoring fans.
How do I know it’s my last Springsteen concert? I feel it in these tired bones too. But I am glad I bookended this experience with my sister. We have shared so much together from our childhood room to our sorority selection in college to our love of the beach and, yes, to our appreciation of all things Bruce. It is a circle finally completed.
Coming full circle,
Jackie
