The day began with prayer and meditation, thanking God for keeping me sober. Opening my inspirational readings, there was a quote my grandfather, Rev. T.L Ballou, had once referred to in his writings.
It was from Sydney Smith: "Whatever you are by nature keep to it, never desert your line of talent. Be what nature intended you for, and you will succeed."
What meaning I found therein.
For 35 years, I strayed from music, the dream of my youth.
Now, when most my age are retiring, I took the plunge, beginning a new career: singing.
I also find it is an opportunity to be of service.
I was asked by Nancy DeBartok to give an afternoon concert on my sobriety birthday at Aegis of Marin, an assisted-living and memory-care facility located in San Rafael.
It was free to the attendees, who were asked to donate to the Alzheimer's Memory Walk 2009.
What a joy. I was joined by pianist Ross Gualco of Woodacre and jazz guitarist Eddie Pasternak of the East Bay. The recreation room, where we performed, was crowded with residents and guests who to my delight knew most of the standards offered that day.
In addition, they laughingly appreciated some of the in gratuitously thrown poetry, like "Casey at the Bat."
They sang along to "Take Me Out to the Ball Game."
At the break, I was warmed to greet some new and old friends.
There was Yvonne Dotson of San Rafael, with whom I had attended college. Mark Fairman, a law school classmate now practicing in Mill Valley, was present.
Two women approached me who had been student teachers under my mother, who has been gone for some 20 years.
Later that night I sang at Enrico's in the city for a private party. On Sept. 11, I'll be at 142 Throckmorton reviving Broadway standards.
Sure, it's gratifying to be on stage doing what you always dreamed.
But it's even more gratifying to think that in some small way you are contributing to the lives of others, even if it is bringing back memories in a way only music can.
Last year, Marin's Bread and Roses took 613 concerts to residents in assisted living facilities, nursing homes, hospitals and institutions where getting-out is an issue.
Executive Director Cassandra Flipper is convinced that in these challenging times, music - the great healer - is needed more than ever.
The world is full of lawyers and politicians.
Sober singers who can occasionally brighten a day, and organizations headed up by former lawyers taking song into the community, may provide an equally beneficial service.
Longfellow wrote:
Nothing useless is or low
Each thing in its place is best.
And what seem but idle show
Strengthens and supports the rest.
Noah Griffin of Tiburon is a public affairs consultant and a former public member of the IJ's editorial board.