Last year we had tickets for the Mercy Me Concert at the North Georgia Fairgrounds! We planned a weekend. It had only been a few weeks since the kid’s dad had died. One of the songs that we chose to have played at his funeral was “I Can Only Imagine”. It was a great trip and a great concert even though there were major moments of pain. It helped the kids work through some of the pain and let out some of the emotion.
This year, we got tickets for Mercy Me at the Ryman in Nashville and decided to make it a weekend again! It has been a year of overcoming loss and pain, but the kids have done amazingly well and are flourishing in school and at home! We still have those moments when the pain comes up, but Mercy Me has been a real help in working through it!
The night of the concert, we walked into the Ryman and explained to the kids what a special place it is! When Tim Timmons, the first opening act, came on stage, it was electrifying! He had mic problems, but kept right on going! He sang an extra song after they fixed the mic. After he finished, Bart, lead singer for Mercy Me, came on stage and announced something unbelievable! Apparently, the Ryman is extra special to Denis Quaid, who is starring in the new movie “I Can Only Imagine”! When Bart announced that Dennis Quaid was there with his band to play the Ryman, I just about jumped out of my skin! The kids had no idea how big Dennis Quaid is or even really who he is, but for me, he was an 80s Icon! Phyllis said my face was so funny! I have to say, this made my trip and is one of those once in a lifetime things that no one can plan!
After Dennis Quaid played for about 30 minutes, Tenth Avenue North came on and they were really great! Massive amount of energy and really pumped up songs. It was a great lead in to the main event!
Mercy Me came on stage with a roar! The sound, lights and music were ten times more than the opening acts! They are incredible and Bart is so funny and inspirational at the same time! The stories he tells often make the kids and Phyllis cry, but at the same time, it is very soothing! Abby sang and danced to every song and the boys had an amazing time! Fewer tears this year than last which is always good!
The concert lasted three and a half hours total and the kids were happily exhausted when it finally came to an end! It was another amazing experience and it was a great way to welcome the boys to their teen years! Abby asked if we could go see Mercy Me every year! Guess we will have to see where they are next year!
