(Originally published on my Facebook page October 12, 2018)

Twenty-one years ago today a small plane fell from the sky and John Denver was gone. When I heard the news the next day, I grieved twice, once for the loss of someone who had saved my life, and once for the missed opportunity to ever thank him. I know that sounds extreme.

From mid-teens to early twenties, depression visited me frequently and declared us best friends. Typical teen issues, losses and other events took a heavy toll. I had great family and friends. (Thanks!) And religious faith, but those words soon became shop-worn. I looked outward and inward, and the only pictures I saw were confusing, sad, scary and lonely.

Then one day, from a holy 8-track tape player, came a clear and joyful voice:

“And oh, I love the life within me,

I feel a part of everything I see.

And oh, I love the life around me,

A part of everything is here in me.”

And I heard: “Rejoicing in the differences, there’s no one just like me.” And most importantly, I heard, “Can you understand the need to carry on?”

There. There it was. John Denver was singing directly to me. The space between that 8-track speaker and my soul became sacred space. I became a believer that somewhere in the world joy still existed. John Denver had witnessed it, and his smile and music testified to it. I believed that maybe one day I too could feel joy again, and rejoice in being different, and through his music I slowly began to understand the need to carry on.

I am far from the only person who survived hard times through the music of this very imperfect man who fought his own demons. And I know there are other vocal artist who have had the same effect on people.

So today, I gratefully remember John Denver. I remember Sunshine, Peace and Joy. And I remember learning there is always the need to carry on.

Peace and Joy!!!

Jeff