I know this drummer, you see, and we met up for a beer last week and he says to me, "I had this gig 2 weeks ago, and it's still freaking me out ... because ... I was supposed to play, but I couldn't." (Melancholy sadness in his eyes, man, he had the blues.) He continued, "I sent a replacement. And they had a terrible accident, one death and the rest were badly injured. All in the same band, in the same van that I was supposed to be in!"

Whew ...

I didn't ask the obvious question, if his replacement was the one who died. Two thoughts came to mind. "It just wasn't your time." And: The next time that guy gets on stage to play the drums, he's gonna rock out like there's no tomorrow. (Maybe there isn't?) He's gonna kick that kit, stomp it, he's gonna slam like he's never done before, and he's going to be keenly aware that he's ALIVE ... Peace, -Todd