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Episode 6, Part 2 of Groovin’ Together is a deeply personal reflection on caregiving, art, grief, and healing — told through the experiences that shaped my final years with my mother. This chapter continues the emotional arc of Part 1, but shifts the lens toward the live arts, the rituals we created together, and the moments that carried me through some of the hardest days of my life.

Two years before her passing, my mother shared that she had always loved ballet and opera but had never seen either live. That simple confession opened a new door for us. I bought season tickets to the Charlotte Ballet and Charlotte Opera, creating a shared ritual that brought her joy, beauty, and a sense of belonging in a world she had admired from afar. Those performances became our language — a way to connect beyond caregiving, beyond illness, beyond time.

As her health declined, art became my refuge. Dave supported me through the most difficult months, offering space to breathe and surprising me with tickets to Porgy and Bess. Soon after, Alvin Ailey’s Revelations reminded me of resilience and spiritual grounding. These experiences became emotional anchors as I navigated the reality of losing her.

When she passed in March 2023, she left me with one final wish: take her to Alaska. That journey became a spiritual pilgrimage, filled with unexpected signs of her presence — especially through the music she loved. The year came full circle when the Charlotte Symphony performed The Wizard of Oz on her birthday, offering a moment of closure I didn’t know I needed.

This episode honors the art that held us, the music that carried me, and the love that continues to guide my steps.

Here is the playlist for Episode 8 https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMjN6sdG11CM&si=km818x4GecQku03D

Here is the playlist for Episode 6 Part 2 https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWEnRJJkxJWQ&si=MT969BFgu_c_yiJr

We have pulled the songs for you and created a playlist of all the songs mentioned. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAtDhNqC3U7M

Here is the playlist to Episode 6 part 1 : https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRd6IkZERie8&si=IRL4_Sq3N6EsOz2x