It’s Just Us
I’m not sure I’m gonna find the right words to express how much this group of people means to me but I’m willing to give it a go.
What is It’s Just Us?
I guess it’s best explained with this video from last night (we were all hanging out on Zoom, but it was streamed to YouTube and Facebook as well).
It’s an amazing group of people who all got together to share music and laughs. David Ippolito created the space and people from all over the world joined. Some have known him for years; some are newer additions, like me. It’s difficult to express how I feel about everybody from It’s Just Us. I found them during a very tough time in my life and they welcomed me with open arms. I have no idea where I would be without their support, without David’s music, without having something to do and somewhere to go twice a week. I joined in September 2020. We were not going out. We were not meeting people in person. We were all pretty much stuck at home.
Let me start by telling you how I found David on YouTube – it’s a good story.
How I found It’s Just Us
So, basically it was a tweet of some guy playing the guitar and singing in Central that started it all (*unfortunately, that Twitter link no longer works. Sorry!).
The tweet came with an implied question of who that guitar man was. I loved the song and I loved the music I found online. There really was a Guitar Man from Central Park. Who knew?! I mean I figured he must be famous in some way to be playing in Central Park but still. I ended up picking a video and posted it on twitter
And guess who reached out to me? That Guitar Man from Central Park himself. I was invited to join his online community on Wednesday night. And nothing could have prepared me for what happened next. First, it was only on YouTube so I had no faces to go with the chat messages. I followed two online concerts like this and then joined the group on Zoom for the first time on September 27. I could only stay for a little while since I had to get up at 5 AM to go to work, but I was hooked. Everybody was even nicer on Zoom than on YouTube – if that’s possible, and all those smiles, the music and the general atmosphere were the positivity I needed in my life.
For those who don’t know: This was all happening during the break-up of a 22-year relationship, moving out, new apartment and I had just started a new job. I can’t tell you how much I needed It’s Just Us.
The people
Nobody knew who I was when I joined It’s Just Us, yet I was welcomed with open arms. No questions asked – we all just enjoyed the music, the being together, the community. And I found that distance has no meaning in today’s world. Friendships can form online. Once I had a chance to meet some of the people from It’s Just Us in person, it didn’t feel like it was the first time we met. I never thought this was possible. They are all nice in person too. Not that I was ever worried about that 😉. And get this, I met two cousins from the Netherland in person a month ago because of a singer / songwriter from New York City. How cool is that? And I have this cuddly angel looking out for me all the way from Maine. Then there’s people who send me squirrel pictures whenever they come across one. It’s just such a fun group. I love them all.
The songs
I can’t list all the songs that have touched me some of them deeply. It was a reminder of the healing powers of music. The lyrics of songs like “Some wounds never heal” or “Don’t let it hold you back” went straight into my heart. And “Here today” makes me cry, every single time. “Any other way”, “This moment”, “Keep hope alive” and “Crazy on the same day” also come to mind. Since they were played on YouTube as well as on Zoom I would go back to them and listen over and over and over. You have to be a special kind of person to touch people so deeply with your music. Thank you, David!
Lessons learned
There are good people out there. I so needed to know that. And the line “you are not alone” – I really felt that when I joined It’s Just Us. It wasn’t just a line from a song. It was real. Every time I was struggling somebody said something encouraging or David had a special song that dealt with whatever emotion I was struggling with. One of the biggest lessons was “a feeling’s not a fact, but it’s real” – this one went very deep and only somebody who’s been there can come up with a line like that. Just realizing that there is a reason for every feeling you have, acknowledging every feeling – even the ones you don’t like (especially those) all while realizing they are not a fact. For me that was one of the most important lessons I’ve learned in my entire life. That realization was immensely important in what happened next.
David, I seriously don’t know what I would have done without you, your songs and It’s Just Us. This is a big THANK YOU for everything.
Would you like to join us?
You can find all the information you need here.
I found this earlier and reread today 03/22/2023 after hanging out in NY virtually at World Water Week! Thank you for your help, Evelyne. You are amazing! Now it’s already 4:30 pm & I have neglected my senior three fur kids too long. Must amble into my kitchen and remedy that situation but I’ll be back! Bless you, your sister, the new baby and her big sister! Busy, busy day! Love to all!
WOW. i love this and from being in the group finally this week I understand all that you say about it. truly special and healing and so nice to "meet" you evelyne!