A Talented Friend

We attended an event organized in part by a good friend whom I met a lifetime ago, on a cross cultural exchange to the Dominican Republic. I met her during one of those life altering experiences. Her and I totally meshed on so many levels from the beginning. We have remained friends over the past 15years continuing to be kindred spirits throughout different parts of the world, getting married and the addition of our children. Although we only see each other occassionally it always feels like yesterday we last saw each other. One of the things I love about her is her attentiveness (or attempt to be :) to her own needs and growth. Being a mother often means those needs come in last. One of the things she does for her is be a member of a very active group drumming group.

It was great to finally get to watch her perform. She is part of a taiko drumming group; RAW (Raging Asian Women). They made their own drums out of oak barrels, music aside these instruments are a piece of art. This type of drumming involves lots of movement of the individuals body but also of the whole group. Sometimes more than one woman played a drum, at other times they were moving and drumming, there was story telling and dancing, a spiritual and celebratory components. It was so much more than music or drumming.
The evening was a fund raiser for the Stephen Lewis foundation. There was a dinner of fabulous locally grown food including corn steamed on site, a juggler, magician, a pool and a band. It was a wonderful night.

Hey C who knew you had such great rhythm and talent???you were great :)