mattblair - Las Vegas and Tom Petty: The Day the Music Wouldn't Die

The darkness of the world is getting tons of publicity on days like today. But there's more to life than that.

I'm immensely grateful that my dear friend survived the attack in Vegas, but saddened for those that didn't, but I know neither my words nor my sadness will help the 58 we lost in Vegas or the thousands we'll lose everyday and never know about.

As for Tom Petty, they say he's still clinging to life. That man was probably at least 10 percent of the sound track to my childhood. We had a truck with no radio and 3 or 4 cassette tapes, his was one of them. I know them by heart. I'll long remember him and his music so fondly whether he stays with us or not.

But I know those words and those memories, will not enliven Tom Petty or any of the thousands around the world clinging to life in hospital beds or worse.

But here's what I do know...the words of my Savior said to His followers... "You are the light of the world..."

With darkness in such great supply, the Light is poised to pierce it with a ferocity.

(You doubt me? There's a 5 hour wait to give blood in Vegas right now.)

Even so much of the angst of people angrily going back and forth on social media is fed by a fight for justice as far as everyone can tell in their own minds.

Whether with the minutes, years, decades or more that I have, I hope to spend my breath living a life that will bring light and enliven those with bodies full of life and spirits and minds dying or dead.

In regards to the darkness and brokenness of the world... I'll yield to the words of Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers on this one.

No, I won't back down
You can stand me up at the gates of hell
But I won't back down
No, I'll stand my ground
Won't be turned around
And I'll keep this world from draggin' me down
Gonna stand my ground
And I won't back down
(I won't back down)
Hey, baby, there ain't no easy way out
(I won't back down)
Hey, I will stand my ground
And I won't back down
Well I know what's right
I got just one life
In a world that keeps on pushin' me around
But I'll stand my ground
And I won't back down
(I won't back down)
Hey, baby, there ain't no easy way out
(I won't back down)
Hey, I will stand my ground
And I won't back down
Hey baby, there ain't no easy way out
(I won't back down)
Hey, I won't back down
(I won't back down)
Hey, baby, there ain't no easy way out
(I won't back down)
Hey, I will stand my ground
And I won't back down
No, I won't back down"