Words from the composer

Many thanks to Roger Treece for sharing these thoughts:

"I have no doubt that it is Kieran who has led me to this realization that I can simply choose gratitude today."

Hey Everyone: I thought this quote by Kieran's mother, Sandra, is very important to highlight, because it touches on something that I've been thinking about and asking as I write this piece: what does a life mean? What does any life bring to all other lives?

What Sandra wrote expressed that so eloquently: that Kieran's life has taught her, among other other things, gratitude; that she can be thankful for whatever this day brings. (May be a title in there somewhere!)

I want this piece to have meaning not only for those of us who knew Kieran, but also for those who will never have the privilege of knowing him.

As I write this music I keep asking myself "What is the most important thing to say in this piece?"

So I ask you now: what three things did Kieran's life bring to you? mean to you? teach you?

The answers to these questions enrich our celebration of his life and, therefore, enrich our experience of our everyday lives and every day of our lives to come.

Roger Treece

Kieran's birthday

As August 19th was nearing, I found myself both dreading the day and wondering how to mark the occasion.  It would have been Kieran's "champagne birthday", 19 on the 19th and it would have been the day he could legally order his own champagne here in Ontario.

I found myself dreading the emptiness and fearing the emotions that I would have to wrestle with. I couldn't figure out what would be the most fitting way to mark this day. But this morning I woke up with a realization that I have a choice in how I experience this day. It need not be heavy.  It can be an opportunity to really focus on gratitude for and celebration of Kieran's birth into this world, and a time to notice how his huge, gregarious and gentle spirit genuinely continues to be expressed in so many ways.  He is very, very present, tangibly so.

For 18 years, 2 months, and 8 days, I took care of my son in the best ways I knew how, and now... he clearly is taking care of me, and of all of those he loves.  I have no doubt that it is Kieran who has led me to this realization that I can simply choose gratitude today.

Please mark November 19 on your calendar and join us at the premiere performance of "Kieran's Song"; it will indeed be a joyous celebration.