Give Me One Reason to Stay Here.....

Summer 2003 in Amherst, Massachusetts

Give me one reason to stay here 
And I'll turn right back around 
Give me one reason to stay here 
And I'll turn right back around
Because I don't want leave you lonely
But you got to make me change my mind 

From "Give Me One Reason"  by Tracy Chapman

This morning, I was sitting in my favorite place on my street, Wholefoods, eating breakfast and reading a book, when the song "Give Me One Reason" by Tracy Chapman came on, and I started to reminisce about summer 2003 in Amherst, Massachusetts.

I loved being at Amherst College studying under one of the lead scholars against the death penalty, Austin Sarat. My days were filled with bike rides, seminars, field trips, bonding time, lots of walking, visits to a Quaker church, museums, plays etc. One of my most memorable summers EVER!!

There were about 15 people who participated in this seminar, and most of us stayed in a huge house with lots of rooms, and bathrooms, and a common kitchen, and living room area where we spent lots of time playing games, watching movies, and talking about everything under the sun.

A few of us decided that we would go and see Tracy Chapman in concert in a town near Amherst. I can't remember the name of the town right now, but I really loved that small town that had lots of trendy shops and restaurants, and it was accessible by bike from Amherst. So, I went there often.

The Night of the Concert!

The night of the concert, we went to that town and shopped and had dinner. I remember this feeling of total peace, happiness, and gratitude of being given the opportunity to spend six weeks in Massachusetts studying and bonding with some of the most interesting people.

Once we got to concert hall, Tracy Chapman was completely mind blowing, and I vividly remember this concert. But, Tracy singing "Give Me One Reason," stands out in my mind the most, and my love for this song intensified even more.

I bought her CD after that show, and I listened to Tracy Chapman over and over that summer.

So, being in Wholefoods this morning, I had loving feelings of summer of 2003......

After I finish writing this blog, I'm going to put on "Give Me One Reason" and dance, dance, dance and feel good!

Here is Tracy...