Nettie & The Mosh Pit

It wasn't until "October Rust" that Peter allowed his mother to see him in concert. It wasn't that he was worried that she'd have to stay up late (she was a night owl) or that she wouldn't understand the music (she listened to all Peter's music), I think he was waiting for the best venue so she could really see what he was doing all those months away from his family.

So, we all went to Nassau Collusium (about 15 - 20 family members) when TypeO performed there, even Nettie who, needed a walker. Pete had arranged for her to have a good seat in the audience, stage right.  The stage was decorated beautifully with autumn leaves and plants to celebrate the “October Rust” songs in the venue. Nettie, whose eyesight was also failing, complained of not being able to see her son Pete in her first time at a big concert. 

She made the decision to get up, work her way down some steps, and with 4 security guards surrounding her, made her way through the flailing and frenetic mosh pit up to the stage to wave to Pete. The sight of this  5 foot gray-haired old lady excusing herself through the moshers was one to behold.  And to our surprise, the mostly male moshers were very nice about it. They parted and allowed her to use her walker to get to the front. They punched and pushed each other, as Nettie stood there and watched. She pushed herself down to the front and marveled at the stage, smiling at Peter, as if he was playing in the backyard when he was a little boy. 

Peter, on the other hand was horrified. He spent the whole time on stage glued to watching what his mother was doing and if she was being protected properly. 

The rest of us stood at our seats watching and laughing. We wondered would she get caught up in the crowd? Would she get carried away and end up stage diving? Would she beat one of those guys with her walker? 

When we found her again and went back stage after the concert, her reaction was all too funny. After hugging Peter, she exciteably talked about the outfits and high heels  the girls in the audience wore ... she was amazed by the artwork and colors of the lighting on stage ... and with Pete blushing, she admonished Peter for using the F*** word too many times when he addressed the crowd.

Peter's mom was a gutsy lady who wore high heels to do her housework ... taught her granddaughters how to fist fight ... encouraged us to dance in the street during a sun shower ... and knew that laughter and family was the best way to get through life's hardships. 

While Peter adored her more than you could imagine any son's love for his mother ... she taught him and us to never be afraid of anything or anyone. We can only imagine that she didn't crowd dive at that concert because she was wearing a dress, but most likely she didn't want to lose her walker.