This is going to sound worse than I mean it to--real cold and hard hearted. I'm sorry. I don't really have a better way of dealing with tragedy.

I've been busy working on the shows I have to do over the next month or six weeks. I don't think I can afford the luxury of taking a break to grieve; I'll have to do that while I'm singing, fiddling, playing guitar, writing, or learning to play the fife.

The situation rather reminds me of the time my Mom asked me to lead the congregational singing at Dad's memorial service. I thought "How in the world am I going to get through this without breaking down?"

So I steeled myself saying "It's just another gig. It's just another gig. Just like always, it's just another gig." And it worked.

Oh I guess I am slightly affected personally. I have an old schoolmate from college who lives on the Jersey shore. I wonder how she & her family have been affected by all this. I suspect I'll never know for certain, however, as we parted company under a cloud.

But for me, I think the best thing I can do is keep on playing and singing, and let the music express how I feel about the world.
Jim