You've had to face a lot of pain and loss lately, Mick. The years can bring that. Getting old is a tough business for most of us...I know it is for me. I've had days and days after days when I wake up in the morning with the feeling that "I've got nothing left to live for anymore"...I kid you not. It seems like all the things that once were so exciting...all the romantic adventures that beckoned to call me out the door into the big wide world...seems like it's all gone past now and it can't be found again in this life. I feel real despair sometimes.

I have not had to face as many of the kind of personal losses you have been dealing with. I have no children and my family circle is very small. My Dad passed away a couple of years ago, so just my Mom remains and she's 80 now. The other relatives I have are people I very seldom even see and I'm not particularly close to any of them. My close relationships are more with my friends, most of whom play music.

I can only guess at the pain people go through when a child of theirs dies or is in some great difficulty. It must be terrible.

But we all face pain in our own way. Each one of us. Whatever our situation. Ultimately we are all going to leave this place, the only thing is, we don't know when. I trust that when we do there will be further meetings of loved ones in a place of Spirit, I really have no doubt about it. Bonds of love are not just limited to this world, they go on. That's something I have faith in. It doesn't come from any specific religion or anything like that, it's just an inner knowing that I have and I trust it.

Your love will not fail, Mick. It cannot. It's indestructible.