Well ..... I have to tell you that I need a break, as in a change of luck, here.

As you all know from this thread, my daughter was involved in an auto accident and her dear friend, and one of my surrogate kids, Terra, was killed. What you probably don't know is that in the last 12 or so weeks, in addition to that tragedy, I also lost 2 cousins, and an Aunt and an Uncle. These are always tough on me as I somehow have ended up as the person in the family has to give the eulogy, and write some kind of song for the person that left. This is a tough assignment, to frame it appropriately and to help folks with their grief, especially while one is grieving already.

Well, on Friday(August 8, 2008) I got a call from my brother. He informed me that he and my Mom were at the hospital. My Father had an aneurysm burst in his abdomen, was in emergency surgery, and had less than a 20% chance of for survival. We spent a fearful afternoon, finally the Dr. came out, Dad had survived the surgery, but was in very bad shape, and survival over the next 48 hours was not assured or even likely. But my Da is one tough old paddy. He is fighting the good fight, and it seems is full of tricks for keeping the Bean-Nighe washerwoman away from his duds. He is still in the Intensive Care Unit, and is still in the woods, but daily he makes a bit of progress. I have not left the hospital since Friday, with the exception to slip out and play two gigs (yes, the show really must go on) and then right back here. I don't want him alone. Not to be melodramatic, even though it will sound like it, but I know what it is like to think that you might not make it, and to be alone while it is happening. I don't want that for him. So here I sit.

I am writing this, not for sympathy, but because I have my laptop with me finally, and there were a number of PM's that were asking what is up. I also had PM's from folks about the Getaway. I will have to get to them later, but this way is faster for letting folks know why I am not about.

So good thoughts, prayers, or whatever you have to send. And if you have an in with whoever the hell it is that is charge, could you do me a kindness? Would you tell that Big Mick has had enough of this aul load of shite, and could they send me a winning lottery ticket instead of this? Thanks.

All the best,

Mick