A tough week

It's been a week of joyous news and tragedy. I didn't know what to say or even if I should blog at all about the deaths of two of my former colleagues in Eugene. I heard the news as I was driving back to Indianola from Cedar Rapids after a rehearsal on Monday night. A colleague of mine was driving; we were in a snowstorm, and I don't know if I would have been able to drive after hearing about an accident on a similar commute from Eugene to Portland. There have been many touching and heartbreaking tributes to Kjersten and Angela. The impact in the music world is widespread. We all grieve their loss. Some of the many emotions include anger for the senseless actions of the drunk driver who took their lives, gratitude for the time we have to spend with our loved ones, sadness for two young talented lives cut short, and relief, thanking God that my friend Kelly survived the crash.

If you have not heard about this accident, here are some links.

Register Guard Article
Eugene Television story--this was very difficult to watch, but it made it more real to me. Click on the video link "Symphony Musicians Killed, Survivor Speaks"
Online tributes: Charles Noble
Niel DePonte
Online memorial space for Angela and Kjersten
An angry reaction--The Cost of Drunk Driving

The joyous news is that close friends of ours (I haven't asked their permission to use their names here, so I'll hold off) have announced that they're expecting a baby in August. We are thrilled that there will be a new baby in our circle of friends! I'm personally excited to be so close. Many of my friends have had children, but I've only been able to hear about their experiences from afar. I can't wait to share in this special time.

Life is full of these opposites. It's easy to get overwhelmed by the negative, devastating and hurtful things in this world. We need to look at the beautiful more often. Kiss and hug your loved ones today. Tell them they are loved.