Before my mother passed in her 90’s she would lament that all her friends were dead. Now I am seeing the same; my tree is slowly being pruned of its branches.
As cruel as life’s end seems, it has a compassionate side, too. If we are not taken suddenly or prematurely, we are given time to prepare. Our sense of endless invincibility slowly gives way to inevitability, and if we’re lucky, I think we find a way to make peace with it.
I don’t intend this to be maudlin. This is all exactly as it is and as it should be. Hey, I’m not quite ready to go yet. I’m told the 70’s are the new 50’s. So, with luck, I’ll be around for a while to see further pruning.
When I watch old movies, I think about how my parents must have felt when they watched the screen, radio, and recording stars of their invincible youth slowly fall away. Nearly every day, I learn that some musical icon of my own generation has gone to rock and roll heaven. Who’ll be next? McCartney? Elton John? Springsteen? Oh, the tears and endless Facebook memes that lie ahead if Bowie and Prince were any indications.
These thoughts came as I learned of the passing on August 6th of David Muse, one of the members of the band Firefall. Firefall came out of Boulder, Colorado, to give us a string of hits in the mid 70’s, including You Are The Woman, Just Remember I love You, and Strange Way. Their music might best be categorized as soft-rock and would fit well within a compilation of groups like Orleans, Pure Prairie League, Ambrosia, Steely Dan, and Little River Band.
I have a soft spot for the artists whose songs I recall cueing up countless times to play during my years as a radio disc jockey. If you are of a certain age, I invite you to join me down the rabbit hole of nostalgia. Below is You Are The Woman.
Go well, David Muse. Thanks for the music. Wherever you are, we’ll all be there eventually, too. You just went a little before us.
Thought In Memory Of Thomas Brown
If you practice compassion, whether you believe in a religion or not, you will come to realize the value of compassion for your own peace of mind. The very atmosphere of your own life becomes happier, which promotes good health, perhaps even a longer life. By developing a warm heart, we can also transform others. As we become nicer human beings, our neighbors, friends, parents, spouses, and children experience less anger. They will become more warmhearted, compassionate, and harmonious. You will see the world around you change little by little. Even a small act of compassion grants meaning and purpose to our lives.
Dalai Lama
