On Sept. 13, I was scheduled to play at a poetry reading at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, New York. Being completely numb from the terrorist attacks on New York City, it was with some trepidation that I received the news that the event would go on as scheduled. I showed up at the college painfully early, feeling nauseous. I just couldn't imagine having to get up and perform, if anyone actually showed up at the event. I set up my equipment and waited for the show to start, trying not to worry.
I started the night by playing two songs which I thought might bring some comfort, "Keep On Laughing So You Don't Cry" and "Face Of Love." I think that people were ok with those choices but I really didn't think I could get through another song so I did a happy new one, "Cecelia," as an escape. Then the reading started. I sat and listened to poems about the disaster, one about the death of the poet's dog, the Gettyburg Address by Abraham Lincoln, and other pieces. This helped me to feel better. At the end, a powerpoint presentation which Mercy employee Gary Fetzer had prepared was shown on a movie screen, while I sang "Amazing Grace." Without prompting, everyone in the room began to sing, loud and strong with me. By the end of the song we were all bawling our eyes out, hugging, and feeling some healing. Some of the people in the room knew each other and some were perfect strangers but one thing I was sure of: God was there, too, singing along with us.
I thank everyone in that room for giving me my first little bit of healing and for reminding me that I am never alone!!!
Thank You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Woody Allen says that 90% of life is showing up, and I'm so glad I showed up and even more glad the others in that room showed up.

Wednesday, September 19th 2001