Hey, Rap:

Kitchen table conversations go wherever they need to go... down as well as up. I've never gone through what you've gone through, so I can't speak from experience. I wrote a song (long since forgotten) with the line "Somebody told me that time was my friend." And I think that's true. I'm a great believer in honoring feelings. When someone says, "You shouldn't feel that way," my response is "What's "Should" got to do with it?" There is no "should" to feelings. They're like a kid who wants your attention... they won't go away until they get what they need. I think that feelings are that way. When I feel depressed or disillusioned, I can't say that I "wallow" in it, but I respect my feelings enough to let them have their say. For as long as it takes to say what they have on their mind.

The great thing about music is that it can release you from your burdens. My friend Joe in the Messengers is carrying a very, very heavy load these days and often shows up to sing thinking that he won't be able to. But, when I hit that first chord on the guitar and we come in on the first line in strong harmony, the weight starts to slip away. We sit and talk about what he's going through, and I share similar experiences, and that helps. But nothing quite does it like music.

Maybe the next time you stop by, you should bring an instrument..   

Jerry