Oscar Peterson passed away today. He led a long life, made amazing music to share with the world, including the Christmas album I'm listening to now. He's one of those artists I've enjoyed but never gave enough time to. I'm just glad I do know his music, even if not in depth. That will change over time.

Christmas is not a time we associate with death, but people die on Christmas every year, of course, and not just old men with failing kidneys. For the natural world, it's just another day. For me, in many ways, it's become just another day. Granted, a day off with pay, and a day I especially miss my kids, but it no longer has religious meaning for me. So it really is just another day. I can't pretend there's something special about this day beyond whatever meaning I give it, and that makes it just another day. I have to give each day special meaning, or my life is meaningless. The meaning and the value of my life is not something that exists beyond me, and most certainly not in some religion. It's what I create, every single day.

Still, I know for Oscar's wife and daughter, this will be a bittersweet Christmas. For those who lose a loved one around this holiday, it will be tough for them to celebrate in the future. That's understandable; my mom died on the Fourth of July, which is not quite the same but it gives that celebration an unusual sadness for me. For those who do suffer loss on Christmas, I wish for them, as for everyone, peace. And if nothing else, they could do worse than listen to some Oscar Peterson to find it.