Dear Extended Musical Family,

Karin here.

With much wise counsel and advice, we have decided to place my Mother in hospice care. She's been in and out of the hospital for a few months and with no sign of improvement. It has been an exhausting and emotionally stressful season for her, and for me.

We are out of the hospital and back at her long-term care facility now. I've canceled the rest of my shows this week and have been sitting with her for the last four days. Hospice is good and is very helpful.

We're not sure what this next chapter is going to look like but we are going to do our best.

Although we wondered if we were going to watch her draw her last breath a few days ago (and some of the nurses were thinking it was time to say goodbye) we don’t know what God's timing has in store for us. Maybe days, weeks? We learn to be patient and present. We live in the moment and practice Gratitude. We acknowledge our vulnerability and lean into courage.

I am deeply, deeply grateful for these things: Team Mama B ~ Jessica H, Amanda M and Tracy R, who have literally saved us in one way or another from catastrophe and heartache. This is shockingly and literally true.

I am SO grateful for music, my purpose here. I am SO grateful for my life partner, who in the simplest and most gentle of loving gestures cares for me every day. And I am grateful for my sweet friends, and for the patience and support of our management team and booking agency for helping us reschedule our recently canceled shows. (Canceling shows is always a difficult decision financially and otherwise.)

And for the festival... coming at the end of May. Our labor of love. I need Music and Love on my old farm now more than ever. I am living for it. Spread the word and bring friends.

If you are the praying kind, I welcome your prayers for us. Pray for my Mama that she doesn't suffer anymore than she already has. Please pray for strength and resiliency for me. And for continued support for Mom, for Linford and myself. We can't do this alone. And if you are not the praying kind, please just hold us close to your heart.

With Gratitude,
Karin, for us.