In the early 1980's, before I was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis in 1985,  I was working at WNBC-TV in NYC and was under a LOT of stress.

I was struggling, trying to come to grips with the fact that while I didn't know what it was, something horribly wrong was going on with my body. It was betraying me. My neck and spine were stiffening up and I was in pain and a great deal of discomfort.

One of the things that helped me to cope and get through that time was listening to Pete Seeger and the Weavers on my Walkman. The purity of their harmonies and their sheer joy for Life was a balm to my heart and my soul.  The power of music was never more clear to me.

Pete Seeger and the Weavers helped me through a very sad and painful time, and I will always be grateful for the positive, optimistic outlook that Pete Seeger helped rally in me when I needed it most. His music called up my inner reserves of optimism, strength and determination and reassured me that I had the guts to get through this hard time.

My heart is sad for the passing of this great man that I never met, but who inspired me with his songs and his character.  He was an activist and a man of conviction.

( For any trolls who might be lurking, and who might be tempted to post some snark about his being a Commie, take it elsewhere. Your small-minded buffoonery can't denigrate Pete Seeger's greatness and his vast contributions to the world of music. He was a giant, and can't be brought down with your petty political demagoguery. Go hate somewhere else.)

I'm sure I don't need to remind anyone here of Pete Seeger's environmental work, especially his work to clean up the Hudson River which has had an impact almost as great as his musical legacy.  And that musical legacy is huge. Wasn't that a time? It was indeed, sir.  It was remarkable to see someone who played at the White House when FDR was President, playing at President Obama's inaugural in 2009.

Thank you Pete Seeger, not just for what you did for the world, but for what you did for me.

Rest in Peace.