God & Family, Music, and NFL Football

Serendipity – the act of finding something valuable or delightful when you are not looking for it; A very good coincidence, often leading to something really awesome.

When you travel with an open mind, a flexible schedule and a genuine curiosity, moments of Serendipity can miraculously appear…Like the time I bravely asked a Michelin-starred Chef in Montone, Italy if I could watch him in action in his tiny kitchen as he prepared our dinner and was given a chef’s coat, hat and was told that I could HELP him instead. What a thrill!  Sometimes, you just happen upon an incredible opportunity to expand your mind and your horizons.  That happened to myself and my kids, Logan and Kendall, on a trip to Oahu, Hawaii a few years ago.

A dear friend of mine who lives in Honolulu, “Uncle Dexter”, very generously drove us up to the very cool surfer town of Haleiwa on the North Shore of Oahu to look around and have lunch at the Shrimp Trucks one lazy Sunday.  As we wandered around the town, we came across a house with tons of brightly painted surfboards and other pieces of art scattered around the front yard, named “Resurrection City”.  Naturally, we stopped to check it out and were greeted by the most amazing sounds of a live band coming from inside the home.  We snooped around and discovered the Ron Artis Family Band rehearsing in their studio.  I really am having a hard time coming up with the words to describe this place and this family, but we will never forget them!

Before his death in 2010, Ron Artis was a very popular and highly respected Jazz musician, composer and artist who played with the likes of Louis Armstrong and Michael Jackson during his career.  He and his wife, Victoria, settled on the North Shore of Oahu and raised their family of ELEVEN (yes, I said 11) children:  Ron II (AKA Ronnie), Stephanie, Victor, Stevon, PraiseJesus, Spirit, Thunderstorm, Martis, Kailua, America and little Artis (yes, his name is Artis Artis) bringing up the rear.  Every member of the family plays multiple instruments and the play them well!  We were greeted by the kids, and asked who our favorite musicians and NFL football teams are.  They told us that the most important things in their life are 1.God & Family, 2. Music and 3. NFL Football.  After the introductions, we sat on some bar stools and the family took their positions and began to play some of their songs – including some incredible free-style “jams” on the keyboard, guitars and drums.  Little Artis Artis danced along with the music for our entertainment.

It is hard to really describe what happened that day.  It’s one of those moments in life when you just sit and enjoy and see nothing but the goodness in people and pure bliss on the faces of talented artists as they share their gifts.  We are still “Friends” with the Ron Artis Family Band on Facebook and I treasure this fuzzy little photo that shows us enjoying our unlikely new family on that November Sunday afternoon.  You can be sure that we will fit in a reunion visit to Resurrection City to see our friends on our next trip back to Oahu!These kinds of moments are only possible when you take a chance, allow your curiosity to guide you instead of a map and open your mind and heart to the local people in the destination you are visiting.  This is the magic of travel and I encourage my clients to keep their eyes, ears and hearts open to the possibilities!  Get your face out of the guidebook and let me help you seek out your own Signature Escape!

Click here to listen to the wonderful sounds of The Ron Artis Family Band