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Last week I sent you a letter about taking a look at what you have control over and what you don’t have control over (among other things).

I got so many wonderful letters back were uplifting and positive, and I asked for permission to include a couple of them. Here they are:

We haven’t met, but I like you for your positive attitude and have followed a few of your YouTubes. Covid has not made much of a change in my lifestyle, as my wife of 56 years is disabled with chronic pain which limits much of what she can do physically and therefore, our lifestyle has been much like this Covid dampener. But, as a German Colleague said to me after a loss of about $6M is studies and a delay of product of about 3 years, “Well Bill, sheet hoppens.” A young man’s mom asked me to play harmonica at her 27-year-old son’s funeral a couple of weeks ago (killed in motorcycle accident). At the funeral someone read a letter he had written to himself when 15 that said in essence that he was not afraid to die, because if he was, he would be afraid to live like he wanted to.

With those positive thoughts in mind, having retired from my business a few years ago, I’m now reasonably fluent in French, in good physical shape, into fine woodworking building furniture for my 5 granddaughters, practice harmonica daily learning new stuff, play music at mass with a group of accomplished musicians (guitar, bass, piano, percussion [with a Cote d’Ivoire conga guy], Irish flute, and harmonica). Practice means new stuff (Badinerie at 3/4 speed so far, getting jazz licks in, etc.) I have a friend who has a great room in his home (used to be a synagogue). The Frederick (MD) symphony practices there. On my friend’s invitation, I visited during one of their practice sessions. Afterwards, I talked to the conductor to find out if he ever heard any of Corky Siegel’s music. Never heard of him. Well, I told a story he related to Howard Levy about some guy hanging out at some of his gigs in Chicago. At his third visit he talked with Corky and said he’d like his band to get together with Corky’s band. “Who’s your band,” asked Corky. “Chicago Symphony.” As soon as I said that the conductor pulled out his cell and looked him up, landing on “Anglefood Cake.” They were astounded, I suggested that they find some strings and give me a call cause, I got the harmonicas. Probably nothing will happen… but it might.

​These are some of my Covid stories. Richard, life is good!! I’ll be 80 next month.

​Can’t wait. Thanks for your note.

​Kind regards,

​Bill Hall

Mt. Airy, MD

​And…

​Hey Richard many thanks for a thought provoking email. At the age of 77 there are many things that become harder to do. One has very little control over the aging process but changing my interest from more physical activities to learning the harmonica has been a great experience. I also have (never use the words suffer) the condition known as atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm condition, something I can’t control but again this was a motivation to learning to play the harp. Playing the harp and starting to learn music theory has given me a great sense of achievement and has significantly improved my lung capacity and hence ability to engage in more physical activities.

​Once again many thanks and yes do not allow yourself to become a victim to anything.

​Best wishes

​John Stranack

​I just turned 69 and the thing about birthdays is that it’s all about perspective. 50 now seems like a youngster to me, but mostly age is a reminder that if you can make a reasonable effort one day at a time, it adds up and makes you feel good.

​Earlier today I was listening to a woman named Brene Brown and she used a phrase: “strong back, soft front, wild heart”

​I’ll be writing about her work soon, but in the mean-time, let that phrase work on your imagination. I think it is a perfect description of how to have a rich and powerful life, and what happens when a musician is in the zone…

​I hope you are enjoying the holidays!

​Richard

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