Out of the Ashes

These days, there are lots of reasons to sink into A Funk --


The bleak economic outlook, the juvenile sniping that passes for political discourse, the return of the fashion disaster known as the "smock top." Oy.

And In a Funk is where I was on Thursday, when I set out for a walk by the river.


But it couldn't last, because out there on the riverside, which just a few weeks ago was burned to a crisp, everywhere I turned I saw signs of new life, new hope: Fresh green, growing sprouts emerging from the ashes, doing their damnedest to heal the blackened landscape and revive the dark, dreary scenery.

The river sparkled in the sun. Tourists smiled and posed, snapped their souvenir shots.

The Funk surrendered, having been soundly battered by the prevailing theme out on The River:

"Life is good - healing happens."

The pictures are, mostly, from the river trail and surrounding areas.

The song is "I Never Knew I Could Fly." Free download available here.

I Never Knew I Could Fly

© Erin Coombs Friedman

Saw my whole world fall apart in slow motion
The tragedy unfolded frame by frame
Before and after severed in a moment
When the ground beneath my feet fell away

I tumbled in a free fall without warnin’
Terrified until I realized
I was no longer fallin’ -- I was soarin’
I Never Knew I Could Fly ‘til I tried

A fall from grace – A leap of faith
I Never Knew I Could Fly ‘til I tried
Til I was fallin’ desperately
I never knew I had wings
I Never Knew I Could Fly ‘til I tried

I found hope in a hopeless cry of sorrow
An upliftin’ wind in a dark cloud of despair
From here on high, I see a bright tomorrow
If it’s an angel that you need, I’ll be there

.

October: Daniel Pearl World Music Days

Now here's a brilliant idea -- concerts dedicated to promoting "Harmony for Humanity."

"An international network of concerts using the power of music to reaffirm our commitment to tolerance and humanity"

-- from The Daniel Pearl World Music Days website

Daniel Pearl, a musician and journalist, was kidnapped and murdered in Pakistan in 2002. His family and friends created The Daniel Pearl Foundation "to carry on his legacy, using music and words to address the root causes of the hatred that took his life."

The foundation's mission is "to promote cross-cultural understanding through journalism, music, and innovative communications. "

The concerts take place all over the world, across all musical genres. It's not a fundraiser, it's a "hope raiser." The event began in 2002, with 117 concerts in 18 countries. By 2007, Daniel Pearl World Music Days were celebrated with 537 concerts in 42 countries. That's a lot of hope.

To learn more or to participate, click here for details.