The calm was almost unbelievable. The way I felt on the drive to see my favorite artist and favorite band was more of a disbelief than anything. I really was afraid to get too excited in case something happened that stopped what was about to take place. I had asked Adam a few days previously if I could paint the sunrise Shpongle set with him and he replied with a “sure”, as if it was no big deal. Two humans I had only wished I had idolized longer. I have never been star struck up until last year at Great North music festival. When I walked in that tent and stood there before the 8ft canvas and the leveled up painters and cried as I was offered trail mix….I honestly had never felt like that. I still am not sure if it was more a feeling of “coming home” than anything, though. But yes, back to Suwannee…. rolling into the site I started to get a surge of something when I saw the huge ferris wheel all lit up. We sought out a spot to park and decided long before that there was no need to camp as I was not going to sleep and miss anything. It was just sunset as we wandered awestruck through the site….lights everywhere…so subtly lighting up the mossy trees with multiple colors. Installations of art were everywhere. Jason Bild had these amazing lit up crystals in various places through out the venue. I ventured down to the main stage area where Jade Cicada was ripping out some really epic sounds, combined with visuals up on the giant screen by Double U. A warm up for what was about to come. The art space, calling my name…I wander up and proceed to seek out new friends and reconnect with friends that I had already made. They welcome me with the initiation offering..as if I had always been there…with the huge bottle of whiskey. I take it in, followed by the burn and shiver. I step back and a few select smiles hint at my courage. Breath of fire. I am sitting on the hippie trap blanket at the foot of Chance Roberts. I am admiring his psychedelic tye-dye muumuu and red dragon printed kimono as he delicately swishes color onto the canvas he is into. As usual, I’m inquisitive and asking how he does what he does. As usual, an open response comes back to me. I am somehow in a situation where I have no supplies. No money or cigarettes, but honestly, as is tradition, there are kind hearted souls around me offering whatever they have. I hold my heart humbly. Tipper comes on and Android Jones is doing his visual thing and the painters are painting and its all bliss. We say our goodbyes to the few that have the early flight out and the night goes on as we wait for the sunrise set. The wave of bodies start to move toward the small stage where Simon Potsford is about to play. It is still dark and misty and damp. We arrive just as he starts and I come up from behind the stage to see these long feathers protruding from a hat on his head bouncing up and down from him bobbing his head as he taps into the beat of his own music. I’m in complete awe. I slowly walk around to the front of the stage and take all the time as I get closer to him. The sea of bodies behind me is never ending as I turn my head to look around. I’m surprised that I’m so close. It isn’t long before my friends are standing with me. I’m completely at peace. The most surreal. I’m feeling grateful to be given such an experience….and completely happy with who I am as a person…as a part of a crowd… a family of artists…a mother…a child…and the music….ohhhh…the music. I can’t take my eyes off of him. Every part of my being is in the moments and connected and it feels like the longest day of my life even though it is a drop in the hat of all my years. But this drop is one of the most significant.