Had a great practice tonight with the Messengers. And was reminded of something far more important than a good practice.

For the last several months, we've had a hard time accepting that we're a trio. We kept thinking of ourselves as a quartet. missing a member. That was undertandable because Derrick, who was with us for seven years was such a fine singer, and an even finer person and friend and we still miss him terribly. But recently, we've come to accept that we are the Gospel Messengers. Not the Gospel Messengers minus one. I was talking with Frankie and Joe about that tonight, because our singing was really inspired. It made me think about one of the greatest qualities about my Father. My Father was far from a perfect man. But we all have strengths and wisdom to pass on to others. One great wisdom that my Father passed along to me was not to complain about what you've lost, but be thankful for what you still have. At 70, he was in a 10 mile walk to raise funds for some charity. By the time he was 80, he could walk about a mile. But that was good enough for him. He knew a lot of people who couldn't walk a mile. When he had to use a walker, I bought hima bike horn to blow when he passing slower people with their walkers. And that was good enough for him. When I'd ask him how he was doing, he'd always say, "Pretty good .. there are a lot of people who can't do what I can." I'd kid him and say, "Dad, if I ask you how you're doing and you can't walk any more, you'll say, pretty good .. I can still crawl across the floor. There are a lot of people who can't do that." My Grandfather was like that. He lay flat on his back in a bed for six or seven years before he finally wasted away and died. When you asked him how he was, he always said, "pretty good."

So, if you wonder how the Gospel Messengers are doing, we're doing "Pretty good." We're no longer a quartet, missing a tenor.
We ARE the Gospel Messengers and we're not missing anything. We're just greatful for what we have.

A good attitude to have, whatever you've lost. Be thankful for what you've got left.

We're going to have a fine time, Saturday night. They've already sold at least 80 tickets for the dinner, and I wouldn't be surprised if they hit 100.

Still room at the table...

Jerry