{Eaux My Soul pt. 1}

I’m nearly convinced that everyone is sick of me raving about how wonderful the Eaux Claires music festival was, but I can’t help it! I had never met a nicer group of 22,000 strangers than those who blessed the grounds of Eau Claire, WI this past weekend. Along with the kindness, they were all so real. Those beards and happy faces were REAL. The beautiful music graced my soul and entire being & I am still so happy to have been in the presence of friends and starry skies.

“There are things in the world that are hard to understand for us, hard to connect with,” (Justin Vernon) said. “There’s a lot of question marks … I just think that, if you don’t have friendship, you don’t have anything.”

I have read about 20 Justin Vernon articles today just to preserve my memories of his angelic presence, and still can’t wrap my mind around how moved I was (and still am) by his words. Community is everywhere. Even in small-town Wisconsin. In the middle of the woods. In the middle of Chippewa. In the middle of Eau Claire. He created something big. A revolution in festivals. & I am beyond blessed to say that I was a part of this inaugural journey & all of the rough patches (& tears & laughter) that came along with it.

“The question that I keep asking myself lately is, ‘Is there anything greater than ‘us’? Is there anything more powerful and greater than ‘us’?” he said. “And I don’t think there is.”