Yesterday afternoon I made room in my schedule to watch (and video) my 8th grade son’s rocket launch as part of his space science project. After the 5-4-3-2-1 he got to be the one to press the button, igniting the gun powder and sending the balsa wood rocket about 500 feet high. As it peaked there was a puff of white smoke.  A red parachute opened and the rocket floated safely back to earth. Everyone watching experienced a sense of wonder and child-like faith, which connects to why I create music – to help listeners pause and reflect on their own longing for peace, joy and hope . . . for wonder . . . for child-like faith.

Just returned home from playing Friday night through Sunday morning at Church at Charlotte, for a HOPE Cancer Ministry benefit as well as weekend services. Before leaving on this trip I had a very energizing conversation with Will Ackerman in Vermont about the possibility of working together for our fourth recording project next spring. In Charlotte I had a conversation with a lady who had received a CD as a gift from someone and had used the music many, many times in her counseling practice helping clients receive a sense of peace and rest. There were many other special conversations throughout the weekend, including talking with my family back home. Conversations and relationships are gifts to treasure in life’s journey.

The song “May it Be” by Enya from the soundtrack to “The Lord of the Rings – The Fellowship of the Ring” has brought me to tears many times.  The opening words “May it be an evening star shines down upon you. May it be when darkness falls your heart will be true. You walk a lonely road. Oh, how far you are from home.” invoke in me a longing for heaven, my true home, and a longing to treasure life’s precious moments here on earth.