An Alphabet of Gratitude

Ep. 1 - Expressing my thanks for "A Love Song for Hal."

Over the last few months, as my health was taking a severe turn for the worse, some college friends of mine teamed up to produce an amazing live-streamed concert to raise funds. 29 artists (including Chris Martin of Coldplay) each offered a song. For me, it was a night of pure bliss and much needed distraction from living in this body. I’d like to express my deepest thanks here in the form of an Alphabet of Gratitude. BTW, if you missed it, you can watch ‘A Love Song for Hal” HERE. A new chapter of “Living in a Body” happens every Saturday. Please join me.

I’m grateful for ARNEL who showed up in my life at just the right time.  Right around Thanksgiving, it became clear that I needed full-time care. Out of the blue, Arnel arrived.

I’m grateful for BESTIE — the best grandmother that a dad could ever hope for for his daughter. Hi Mom. I’m sorry you have to see your son go through something like this. I love you.

I’m grateful for COLDPLAY and CHRIS Martin who somehow stumbled across my Instagram page and reached out to me to connect. Chris offered a perfect closing to a full night of near perfection.  In a big way, he helped support me and bring awareness to ME/CFS.

I’m grateful for DAVID Ford who was the mastermind and the real star of the concert Friday night. Damn, David. You were so humble in your professionalism.  You made the concert so relatable and enjoyable.  I had so much trust in you as the host.  Thank you.

I’m grateful for the ELECTRICITY that so miraculously keeps me connected to the outside world from the comfort of my bed.  Speaking of my awesome bed, with the touch of a button, electricity powers the adjustable head and foot.

I’m grateful for my FLOAT tank which provides me some relief and comfort every afternoon right around 4:30 or 5.  I know…. I’ve got it good. :)

I’m grateful for the GENEROSITY of the GOFUNDME donors.  Wow.  I’m speechless.  I’m spending a lot of money now for much needed care, so the money is being well used. Thank you.

I’m grateful for HALLIE who lives so vibrantly in the world and whose calls, messages and TikToks fill me with pride and joy. BTW, Hallie pretty much stole the show on Friday night with her original song, “Dear ME/CFS.”

I’m grateful for INSTAGRAM which has provided me with such a creative platform for connecting with my fans.  I love the way that posts, reels, stories and DM’s each play a unique, fun role in that connection.

I’m grateful for JERRY my college roommate who has become a close friend and a great confidant through some tough times. Thank you Jerry for creating such an incredibly successful GoFundMe Campaign.

I’m grateful for KIM who is seriously the best girlfriend in the whole world. She’s smart, quiet, easy-going, funny, creative, patient and she even built her own greenhouse. (Hi Kim.) And she doesn’t seem to be phased by the fact that her partner is living with severe chronic illness.

I’m grateful for “a LOVE song for Hal”  — The love and care that permeated last Friday night’s experience was stunning.

I’m grateful for all 29 of the MUSICIANS who performed at the show.  I am so honored. The diversity and level of talent made for a remarkable night.

I’m grateful for the NEW friends I’ve met this year in the ME/CFS community— especially Peggy and Lizzie.

I’m grateful for OPEN Medicine Foundation which is doing the desperately needed work of research for ME/CFS. A portion of the proceeds from the concert will go to that cause.

I’m grateful for my new PILLOW that make being bedridden a whole lot less miserable.

I’m grateful for the QUIET in my home.  At times, my ears are extremely sensitive, so the less noise, the better.

I’m grateful for my friend ROZ who has been there every step of the way through all this with such kindness and care.

I’m grateful for STU who makes me smile just thinking about his face and his voice and his friendship.  Somehow, I got hooked up with the right gang back in the fall of 1984 at Northwestern.

I’m grateful for TIK-TOK which has given me a platform for a worldwide audience of listeners of my music.

I’m grateful for the UNITARIAN-UNIVERSALIST Church of Kent which has given me a home away from home with the best acoustics in Ohio for the last 26 years.

I’m grateful for all the VOLUNTEERS (and paid helpers) that made the benefit concert possible. Some of you I’ve never met and some of you I haven’t seen in many years.  Please know that my family and I are forever grateful. Thank you!

Speaking of my family, I’m grateful for Julia, Johanna and Caroline WALKER who have played such a major role in making me the person that I am.  I love you so much and I already miss you a lot.

I’m grateful for all the X-RAYS I’ve ever had, for every XYLOPHONE I’ve ever played and for the fact that I haven’t looked at an X-RATED movie in almost 10 years.

I’m grateful for YOUTUBE for providing me such an awesome platform for sharing my music and gives me a little pleasure in checking analytics and reading comments.  (BTW.. if you enjoy content on YouTube, please remember click like and leave a comment.  It makes a big difference for us content creators.)

I’m grateful for ZZZQUIL that helps me get back to sleep when I wake up at about 1:00 am every night.