I took my daughter to a concert on Sunday. It was Of Mice and Men (it's a band, not play, movie or book, for those who are not in the loop) and three other bands. I was very happy that I was going to spend an uninterrupted day with Lyric, but I was not very excited about the bands as this is not my type of music. Screaming and growling are not my forte...I love hard heavy music but I can do without the screaming. I digress. At this concert I learned a few things. One being that I have entirely too much bottled up rage to be that close to a mosh pit and I got a little too much pleasure almost knocking a guy on his ass after he pushed my daughter. The other being that this was an awesome group of kids. They don't flow with the so called "normal" people and that is something to be proud of, in my opinion. I am not and have never been in that "normal" crowd and I love that my daughter is the same. 

I also noticed that every band (whether they sucked or not) all said something along the same lines of "Be yourself", "Love who you are" "you are awesome". Although the language they use I can't use here. I think its a great thing that a group of what a lot of society calls "misfits" are being told that they are awesome like they are. Acceptance is something we all want whether we admit it or not. A lot of these kids probably feel like they are outsiders in their everyday lives. But, at a concert, filled with others like you, they are one in the same. Accepted.

I have had the privilege of taking Lyric and her friends to several concerts over the past year and a half and I love seeing her and all the kids there. Seeing them happy in their element. Head banging, singing and happy. I always get a little choked up (don't tell anyone) at these shows because I want to give everyone a hug. I want them to know they are special and that they do matter. Their green hair, gauges, tattoos, and make up all make them who they are and they are beautiful. 

Acceptance. 

That being said, my ears finally stopped ringing yesterday and we are headed to Warped Tour in the summer (where they have an adult daycare that I WILL NOT go to), waiting on Hollywood Undead to come back and Blood on the Dance Floor to tour again. No, I absolutely do not want to go (this is a lie, I really love it)

Rae