I look back and realize I have been followed by death my whole life. It is a sad fact that our grandparents die in our lifetimes but it is a part of life. I used to wonder why my favorite musicians died young. For example, I discovered Stan Rogers' music the year AFTER he died, I loved Jim Croce's stuff, Kate Wolf and U. Utah Philips are gone, Steve Goodman and Phil Ochs were amazing, and there are so many others.

But then my friends became those who died young. And then friends of my daughters. When my kids were in their pre-teens and early teens we started a D&D game that ran on for 7 years. Then the young ones went off to college. Since I came to Guam my friend who ran the game as D.M. committed suicide and my older daughter's friend who played with us died of cancer.

And with Mudcat my circle of friends expanded as did the number of friends I lost. We all remember friends who are no longer with us.

But in this thanksgiving season I am grateful for what they have given to me. I will never forget the dear friends I have loved and the artists I have enjoyed.