Northshore Ramblers

Every Tuesday a group called the Northshore Ramblers gather in the sanctuary of Peace Lutheran Church to play a little music, catch up on the happenings of the week and to support each other.

This past Tuesday, I had the opportunity to sit back and enjoy 2 hours of bluegrass and folk music with a little Christmas music thrown in the mix. Going aroung the circle, each person would take turns calling out the next song, but not before a little conversation took place. Some of the members were old regulars and a few were recent additions. Some even learned to play in the group.

It was especially moving when one of the old regulars that had moved to northern Mississippi after Katrina stopped in for a visit. He was greated with open hearts. Friends caught up with each other and then someone handed him a guitar and he joined right in calling the next song just as if he had never moved.

That's the way it is here now. Some have stayed on others have had to move on, but there was no bitterness or feelings of abandonment. It's just the way it is. There was joy and melancholly that night. The music expressed both. It was a means of celebration and healing.