Dear friends and family,
We continue to be grateful for the inpouring of emails, cards, flowers
and love that have kept us afloat these past three weeks since Danny
passed.
We've pinned down the dates of the programs back east: SATURDAY,
AUGUST 9th, from 2 to 5 pm, we'll remember Danny in the Hall of the
First Baptist Church in New London, New Hampshire. Once again, we'll
share lots of music and love together.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 16th, again from 2 to 5 (I think- I know it's in the
afternoon), we'll gather in Myrtle Beach, SC in the Shriners Hall
where a reception was held for Meher Baba in 1958. So far, we've lined
up Buz Conner, Billy Goodrum, Jane Brown, Meherwan Irani, Raina and
Andy to play music.
We know August is a busy time of year with lots of vacation plans, so
we'll understand if people can't make it. For those who want to
attend, there are a number of lodgings in the New London area, and for
the following weekend, the Meher Spiritual Center in Myrtle Beach
still has some openings.
I'll be looking for someone to spearhead the Myrtle Beach gathering,
coordinating food and decorations. If you're interested in helping,
please let me know. My mother will help with the advance work for the
New London program.
Now, as promised, I'll report on the second program for Danny last
Sunday, June 1st at the Los Angeles Meher Baba Center where over 200
people witnessed one of the most emotional musical moments I've ever
seen.
The program began with Lynn thanking everyone for all the love and
support that's been lavished on our family.
As I had at the program the night before, I referenced the tatoo on
Danny's lower back: UNITY, and read quotes from many of the world's
religions.
Billy Goodrum reprised "Calling All The Angels" and Andy again spoke
and showed the slide show he'd put together of Danny's life.
After Raina played "Angel" again, I introduced our friends Pris and
Chris Haffenden, whom I've lauded many times as "the greatest known
guitar-oboe duo in the world". They were among the many musicians who
came to play for Danny after the accident. On Sunday they performed
Meher Baba's favorite song, Cole Porter's "Begin The Beguine": "Oh yes
let them begin the beguine make them play til the stars that were
there before return above you till you whisper to me once more darling
I love you and we suddenly know what heaven we're in, when they begin
the beguine."
The lyrics reminded me of what Lynn told the crowd at the program's
start: "Some people would say that these last three years were a
tragedy, but we never felt that way. The past two years that Danny has
been home has been my favorite time with him." We knew what heaven we
were in, serving someone we loved so dearly, with a clear sense of
purpose. We always felt blessed.
Our close friend Bhau Kalchuri, one of Meher Baba's longtime intimate
disciples from India, sent messages for each program. I read the first
one Saturday night, the second on Sunday. He wrote that this life we
live is nothing but a dream and that Danny has now awoken from the
dream and is experiencing the reality that is God. Danny is in
paradise, Bhau said. And although we miss him terribly, we are happy
for him, because he has achieved the great goal that one day awaits us
all.
Next came Harry Thomas, a unique singer/songwriter/school teacher with
a mellow manner that caused Danny to often declare, "Harry's the man."
Employing his signature jazz chords, Harry played a sweet song he'd
written for Danny.
Katie again read Danny's essay about recording music with his friends
and then Stacey Steinmeier brought the crowd to its feet with a
reprise of the unforgettable songs she'd played the night before. I'm
going to force her to record them so they'll be available on a website
for all to hear.
Our dear friend Fred Stankus, who meant so much to Danny, rose and
spoke of his love for Danny. I recalled how although Fred is older
than I am, at age 8 Danny told me, "I feel like Fred's my brother,
Dad...My little brother." A testimony to Fred's huge heart and
childlike love for all God's creatures.
Then Michael Campagna, Billy Goodrum and Mia Campagna took the stage.
I was pretty composed until Mia sang Chet Baker's version of "My
Buddy", backed by her father Michael on guitar: "Nights are long since
you went away, I think about you all through the day, My buddy, my
buddy, nobody quite so true. My buddy, my buddy, your buddy misses you."
I kind of lost it for a bit, thinking about how much I'd miss playing
hockey with "my buddy", but I recovered to introduce Tamara Mark who
provoked tears again as she recalled the great connection she always
felt with Danny and sang Leon Russell's "A Song For You": "I love you
in a place where there's no space or time I love you, for in my life
you are a friend of mine And when my life is over, remember when we
were together We were alone and I was singing this song for you."
The program concluded as it had the night before, with Billy playing
Danny's Youth Sahavas ode "Place" and then everyone rising, linking
arms, swaying and singing along to "All You Need Is Love".
But just prior to those songs came a moment that everyone present will
remember and cherish: Debra Ashe (known to many as Debbie Campagna)
had promised Lynn she would try to sing "Danny Boy". I say "try"
because Deb, a professional singer for decades, has been battling
throat cancer for many months now, undergoing radiation and chemo that
have left her powerful bluesy voice thin and brittle for the time
being. Still, she made a game effort and sang a few lines with such
heart that she gave me chills. Then her voice cracked- She smiled
sadly at Lynn, indicating she couldn't go on- Without hesitating, Lynn
rose and, embracing Debbie, finished the song- Lynn sang like an
angel, in a high sweet tone that had everyone in tears.
I was stunned that Lynn was capable of getting through the tune- She
said she sang without thinking; she wasn't seeing anyone but Danny. I
can't possibly do the moment justice with words.
Our friend Mitchell Rose videotaped the Saturday night program. When I
wrote to him lamenting that no one had recorded Debbie and Lynn's
song, he replied very beautifully: "I have been privileged to witness,
a couple of times in my life, demonstrations of profound human courage
-- moments when the human spirit soared to a height that is hard to
conceive of...for a commoner such as myself. Debbie and Lynn singing
“Danny Boy” was such a moment. I too, at first, regretted that the
moment was not recorded. But I now believe it is better this way. It
was a transcendent moment that will long be etched in my memory. If
there had been a tape of it, it would not have accurately captured the
depth of the experience. And that diminished representation would
have come to replace the real thing in my mind. So instead, I'll
treasure the moment in memory, and be thankful that I had this soul-
shaking glimpse into greatness."
I too am thankful, for all the memories, and for all the work done by
so many devoted members of our L.A. Baba family who decorated the
Center and fed the multitudes and stayed long after to clean-up.
As I've told friends, we have our ups and downs these days- The down
times come when I focus on the material world, this gross plane, where
I miss my son so much, longing for his smile and laughter and all the
great music he won't get to compose. But when I focus on the eternal,
on God, on Meher Baba, I am uplifted with a sense of Danny's
happiness, and I feel that God must be proud of the way Danny
shouldered his burdens with courage, poise and good humor, setting a
stellar example for us all. It's a constant challenge, but these
feelings encourage me to maintain focus on the divine, and to
appreciate and love those who are with us. That's pretty much what all
the great religions, at their core, teach. That's what Danny taught me.
With love and gratitude,
Jeff
Attached are three photos:
1) Danny and Meher Baba's close disciple Eruch Jessawalla in India,
1996.
2) Danny, Brian and Kevin playing a "Fisticuffs" show in March, 2005.
Commitment!
3) Danny and his mom in January, 2007.
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