"A Cowboy From Hell, that was Far Beyond Driven, you were G*****n Electric, the Medicine Man, who wrote his Message In Blood, using The Art Of Shredding, you died in a Vulgar Display Of Power, Walk to the Cemetery Gates, Rise above the Floods, you are forever Stronger Than All, and we are forever Hollow. R.I.P "Dimebag" Darrell"
(December 8th, 2004)
I think the above aptly describes just who he was as a man, as an inspiration, as a legend! Darell "Dimebag" Lance Abott. I still remember watching the news when the reports came in about what happened on that stage...all because of one nutcase and a gun. It's in the five years to the day since that we remember and celebrate the lasting impact that he had on a musical genre that I have such a close personal connection with. He inspired a generation, and will continue to through his music...the legend lives on! I only regret that I couldn't truly experience Dime for the man that he was; a kind-hearted and genuine soul who didn't bow to anyone except his instincts and his passion for music and sharing that with everyone he met! All I can say now, as I raise my Blacktooth Grin, is Rest In Peace Brother...Getcha Pull!
So it has been just over a week since Spirit Day and all I can still say is one all encapsulating word, Amazing! For those who may not know, Spirit Day is an event put on by the Archdiocese of Vancouver, as a large youth rally for grade 7s from all over the lower mainland. Since the first one in 2005 it has been characterized and defined by a day of fun, food, fellowship (hurray for alliteration), praise, and music! Thankfully I have been blessed to be a part of it and contribute my bit since the second one, "Great Power, Great Responsibility", in 2006. Now this year, passing the 6th annual celebration (there were two of them in 06) I always take something new from each one, this year was no different.
Previous years saw a humble beginning to the largest youth event put on, eventually we had to move to a larger venue, a huge auditorium at Pacific Academy in Surrey. Unbelievably this year had to be split into 2 days, to accommodate for over 1800 grade sevens and chaperons!!! Running the same event twice between pacific academy and Archbishop Carney Secondary school in Port Coquitlam, the birthplace of Spirit day! Once again graced by the presence of the outstanding Matt Maher and Ike Ndolo and band for the first time, and Brad and Gene from Apex ministries...you can definitely tell that something special was going to go down during this weekend.
In years past I had the chance to display my crazy antics on stage in front of hundreds and hundreds of people, whether as a superhero, normal teenager, janitor, high school musical backup dancer, creeper boyfriend, or an insanely nerdy scientist with a intellectual dominance complex. This time I was asked to help out with the Spirit team, which entailed interacting with the kids one on one, leading games, shuffling them to and fro, and helping to lead praise and worship. No matter what context or role I was placed into I always take something new from each year. First and foremost it was a genuinely reaffirming experience, renewing in a sense, after witnessing over 1800 people celebrating our faith as one body in Christ. For many it was their first introduction to this body, and the power it holds, resulting in their surrender to it subsequently.
I remember the first night at Pacific in the closing session after mass with the Archbishop. Brad and Gene, apart from their crazy juggling antics, plate spinning, whipping, straight jacket escaping, and utterly hilarious storytelling, took their time too to share through powerful teachings and testimonies just how we are all one body. Matt Maher was leading the final song set where pretty much the whole crowd went nuts, the spirit team lined the bottom of the stage leading in actions and clapping. It was the last song that I found quite thematic of the day, I tried thinking about a summation of some kind but I always kept coming back to this song, "Alive Again" by Matt Maher. Watch the video below, it was taken at Carney the next day...now imagine this energy but with twice as many people!
The Energy of the day was truly inspiring, and was a very poignant reminder as to why I'm in Youth ministry and why I pursue my call to serve. I remember jumping up and down, playing air guitar with a crowd of grade 7s, clapping til my hands got sore...but it was amidst all that that I truly saw what spirit day was about and what it was designed to provide. It was all about sharing our faith, sharing my opportunities and experiences with them so that they may "Believe".
