Still running on empty

"I look around for the friends that I used to turn to to pull me through.
Looking into their eyes I see them running too."

- Jackson Browne

We saw Jackson Browne perform recently at a concert outside of Washington, D.C. The audience rose in unison when he played "Running on Empty." It was a crowd made up of mostly 50somethings. Browne, like many classic rockers, is in his 60s. Of course, this tune was one of his hits back in the day when he recorded it at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Md. But it still resonated with people in 2009. I wondered whether it was the music or the lyrics that most inspired people. I am guessing it was a bit of both.

Just when we boomers thought these would be the grounded, calm years, many of us find ourselves running again. Running from fears of job loss. Running from worries about retirement. Running from divorce, foreclosures and the loss of old or ailing friends. Running from hair loss and liver spots.

Some folks run to things, too. Can be equally draining to try to remain relevant in the eyes of our colleagues, family and friends. Especially when they also have their troubles to contend with.

Some want to run towards youthfulness. Plastic surgery is very alive and well in the pricier Northern Virginia suburbs. Boob jobs and lasik procedures abound. I am guessing as the job market starts getting even tighter, so will the faces of men and women with the money to look more youthful to potential employers. Just another thing to compete against.

But for one night at the Wolf Trap concert grounds, none of us felt like we were running on empty. Eyes were bright. Smiles were real and wide. Plenty of fuel left in the tank in the geezers on the lawn and in the box seats. There was a collective sense that, hey, here we are...a few more wrinkles but still kicking. Still appreciating great music, fresh air and a glass or two of wine. My wife and I were particularly grateful for the free tickets her employer gave to us.

Browne's band performed flawlessly. His new music was melodic. Yes, he's still writing songs. His old tunes, like "Take It Easy," were played with new energy aided by soulful backup vocalists. For a couple hours, we could stop running and just enjoy the moment or take an easy trip down memory lane. The power of music never fails to amaze me.