Yesterday, I left Halifax to travel to Vegas for the wedding of my beloved stepson, Michael. When I left Halifax and how I planned the trip was complicated by the fact that David Myles, who I adore, was nominated for his first Juno. The decision became increasingly difficult as David and Classified were added first to the prestigious Juno Songwriter Circle and then later, to the actual awards show. David is truly one of my favourite people on earth – a lovely guy and a real pleasure to work with – so it was not an easy decision by any means, to miss the Junos in favour of being in Vegas for all of the wedding festivities, in particular, a mother/son lunch that Michael and I had been planning for weeks.
I was lucky because dear friends like Kim Stockwood, knowing my dilemma, sent me photos and texts from the Junos at every opportunity. David, of course, made it very easy for me by understanding and supporting my decision to make my son my priority for the weekend. Still, it was with some regret, (but knowing that I was doing the right thing) that I left Halifax for Vegas on Sunday morning. David and Classified won their award, kicked ass at the songwriter circle, and by all accounts, were one of the highlights of the Juno weekend. I am so proud. I have just had the wonderful lunch with Michael that we have been planning for months, so all is good on that front. But all of this has made me realize that, while I will be present and available for whatever Michael needs me for (which isn’t much because he’s a highly organized individual – another point for nurture versus natureJ), I am still obsessed this week by David’s record release, Mo’s upcoming UK tour, Joel’s studio opening, Dylan and Gordie’s work with Songcamp, Mary Jane & Wendy’s summer tour plans, Molly’s new record, and on and on and on.
In short, there is no division between family and work for me. The wonderful, talented and understanding people that I work with, are very much a part of my family. All of which makes me a very lucky lady – by normal standards – sadly, it doesn’t count so much at the poker machines in Vegas !
