The day after Thanksgiving, I was asked along with Nicole Witt, Brian White, and Billy Montana, to fly down to Dallas. Celia Whitler asked us to come down to play our songs to celebrate Celia's friend Kathleen Baskin-Bell. Kathleen has been bravely battling cancer for a couple years now to find out that it had spread. So, what did Kathleen decide to do with her 10 or so days she was told she had left? Celebrate!! One of the many things she loved was music, so she wanted to spend last Friday night with family, friends, and music. We arrived to find the street lined with cars that any valet service would be jealous of, a lawn filled with white paper bags lit up with candles inside and inspirational messages wriitten on the outside, and a sweet quaint house right out of a Norman Rockwell painting. We were greeted by a smiling Kathleen in the front yard, so gracious that we would fly down and take the time out to come and play for her. Just one look at her and you felt like you'd known her your whole life. Her eyes were bright and her spirit was on fire - soaking up every moment like a flower savors the rain.

Walt Wilkins drove a couple hours to be a part of the evening because he'd heard how much of a fan Kathleen was of his. In all, we ended up playing a couple hours of songs that were funny, reverent, emotional, and uplifting. Throughout the night, I couldn't help but notice how tears would suddenly hit different people, and how unique laughter looked when mixed with the fresh remnants of tears. It was a surreal experience to say the least. We ended the night listening to Nicole singing a stirring acapella "Oh Night Divine", and divine it truly was. As we packed up our guitars, Katheleen asked me what my favorite food was and I said lasagna is in my top 5 - to which I thought she was going to wrap up some of the leftovers from the kitchen - and she said "..I'll make sure its ready and warm when you get to heaven..."  It was hard to keep it together, but how can you break down when the one who has every right to lose it is smiling with a blessed assurance that all is well.

I can only pray that i would have an ounce of the dignity that Kathleen showed us all that night. We all have a terminal disease called "life" that none of us will escape. Some might even think its a blessing to know when you're gonna go so that you could live like you're dying. Well, everyday is a gift and every day we have a choice to unwrap it or leave it under the tree. So I pray for all of us to make the most of what God has given us and cherish what really matters. It ain't "the next song we write" or what "artist is cutting" or "the best gig or songwriting deal", like Kathleen knew, its family, friends, and the quality of experience we soak in that make up this short but colorful fabric called  life.

So we all came back a little different and changed for the better, moved by Kathleen's faith, and nudged a little bit to try and be more like her. It is with a solemn heart to say I found out today that she left this earth to go be with God. My prayers are for her husband Bill, her 5 year old son Skyler, her family, and the multitude of friends who's lives were brushed with the presence of an angel's wings.

Here is a link to a story the Dallas Morning news ran on the front page the day after we played. It will give you a tiny glimpse into how remarkable Kathleen was, but I can tell you it doesn't come close to who she was in person - a fresh breath from the winds of heaven. I can't wait to taste that lasagna she's got cooking!!

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/112708dnmetbaskinball.4a72148.html?ocp=1

And here is a personal note from Kathleen's husband Bill......

"Rev. Kathleen Baskin-Ball died this morning at 10:15am in her home. Sunday was a truly glorious day. Celebrating God's love, she held and baptized 37 of God's beautiful children, youth, and adults on Sunday afternoon. Suncreek's youth choir filled her den following the baptism service and sang mightily of faith while joy, laughter, and tears flowed. As I helped her into bed on Sunday night, she gave thanks for the day and expressed that she was ready to die. She said that her body was very weak and it was about time to give her body true rest.

On Monday, she spent the day in bed. Her body started to shut down and her breathing slowed. Throughout Monday night, we stayed awake to make sure that she was comfortable and free from pain.

I feel great loss. Yet, beginning Monday night, I started feeling a head to toe sense of joy. It was a feeling that her much deserved peace was near.

We did think that she would live a little longer. Yet, the time seems right.

I pray that as you face her loss you are able to find the peace that Kathleen and I found over the last few weeks.

Skyler and I need your prayers, but Kathleen has set a clear example for us about how to keep stepping forward and living a faithful life when facing adversity.

I know Kathleen would want me to tell you that she loves you!

Much Love,

Bill