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[blpurdom at yahoo.com]

I received this from a friend and thought it might lift some other 
folks' spirits.  Perhaps artists have a duty to carry on at times 
like this as much as doctors, nurses, police and firefighters.  I 
have a dear friend who is a fabulous painter whose father worked on 
Wall Street; he has been missing since last Tuesday.  She is up in 
Poughkeepsie now with her mom as they try to figure out how to go 
on...I don't think she's ready for a letter like this yet, but I 
doubt that she will abandon her painting in the aftermath of even a 
tragedy like this.  I pray that her father will be found and they her 
family will find peace.

--Barb

For those who may not know David Sabella, he is a very gifted 
Broadway performer and the author of this letter.  This was forwarded 
to me by another fellow artist and has helped me deal with this 
nightmare so I thought I would share it all with you. 

> Date sent:          Fri, 14 Sep 2001 00:47:54 -0500 
> 
> Dear Guardians, 
> 
> Today I was supposed to start the fall semester, teaching vocal 
> technique at NYU/CAP21. I woke up around eight, started the coffee, 
> walked the dogs, showered. 
> 
> Then all hell broke loose. 
> 
> We all watched in horror as our country was shaken to its core. 
> 
> School was canceled, of course. 
> 
> So now I sit here wondering how I will walk into class in the 
> coming days and work on "lovely little musical theater ditties" 
> when our country and the world is still reeling in the aftermath of 
> this tragedy, and will be for a long time to come. 
> 
> Then I was reminded of something my most beloved mentor once said 
> to me. 
> 
> At the end of W.W.II, one of the first types of buildings to be 
> rebuilt in Europe were the theaters. The morale of the people 
> was held at a high premium. A place to congregate and leave behind 
> the tensions and strife of the day was of utmost importance to the 
> fabric of society. At a time of strife what WE do becomes VERY 
> IMPORTANT. We are the morale officers in this crisis. 
> 
> So sing my darlings. Sing your hearts out. Sing on the streets. 
> SING WITH A PURPOSE. Make one person a day smile with your joy 
> and we will win the war. 
> 
> SING, ACT, DANCE, HONE YOUR CRAFT, COMMUNICATE YOUR JOY AND SPREAD 
> THE LIGHT. 
> 
> That's how I plan to get through this. Just thought I would share 
> it with you all. 
> 
> Love and PEACE, 
> David Sabella