a wonderful story

This one got me a little verclempt. And I don't gravitate to flat out happy stories or easily choke up anymore. Unless I've just had a baby ... [that was a postpartum joke. Haha. ok. not really funny. so, ... um ... moving on]

Amid the bluster of nasty news, a reminder that a world of possibilities still exists--and those possibilities often start in the mind of one wonderful person.




epilogue

Maybe I appreciated this because it wasn't about luck or super-sunny pollyanna-ish positive thinking.

As an aside, I hate those "life-is-beautiful-if-you-only-open-your-eyes" chain emails that clutter our inboxes day after day. I mean, maybe some of it's worth considering, but I can't even get to that place. Plus, I just can't take being bludgeoned by any idea; positive or not. Rouses my inner attorney. Like, one email about sunsets and puppies is really gonna make me say, "oh, wow. I'm so grateful now ... thanks for changing my worldview." It's beyond presumptuous [and frequently includes a not-so-subtle religious conclusion, or two]--and I HATE that.

Um, ya ... I digress ... a lot. I must have gotten one of those annoying msgs today ... although I can't really remember. But, this wasn't supposed to be about my email annoyances or my doubts about a deity. I'll get to that another time.

So, back to why I liked this story--it's about work for the sake of something absolutely pure: the preservation of hope in innocence, rising above the insensate randomness of birth and unearthing beauty [in music, dedication and discipline]. Would I want my own girls armed with any greater lessons? Maybe, but not many.

homemade jamz blues

dang! these kids are tight!


All Things Considered, July 10, 2008 - When you picture someone playing the blues, you imagine someone who's been through the school of hard knocks. The lead singer for the Homemade Jamz Blues Band has been to school, all right — high school.

Frontman Ryan Perry is 16 years old. He sings like a man and manhandles his [homemade, muffler] guitar, but when he and his bandmates break into giggles, it's clear they're all kids.

The three Perry siblings are 9, 14, and 16 years old; together, they're the Homemade Jamz Blues Band. Ryan took up the guitar at age 7. His brother, Kyle, followed with an electric bass, and their baby sister, Taya, rounded out the trio when she picked up drumsticks. The three are now regulars on the blues-festival circuit.

listen, and check 'em out!

or here!