Part of my journey was losing the hero of my life—my father—in a plane crash just after my first semester in college.  And though it’s taken a lifetime for the healing to come, I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.  The love of friends and family helped me find wells of thankfulness, faith and hope to dream again.  

From those wells comes Rest, Vol. 2 — a collection of peaceful instrumental piano music that we released on Thanksgiving. 

One of the heroes who inspired my music and helped me find healing was my precious sister, Nancy. (Henceforth Nanny—though we still call each other by our childhood endearment, Hashimoto… okay, now everyone knows!) She has always been a mirror image of my father’s strength of character, kindness, and love… a model mentor in music and life. 

After graduating from Spring Arbor College, Nanny married Tom Sharpley. Together, they became an anchor for our family, and their home was a peaceful harbor. Nanny taught piano lessons while playing faithfully at church, and Tom sold insurance and coached successful traveling baseball and high school teams (having been an All-American in college himself).  A few years after my father’s passing, my younger brother Tim went to live with Nanny and Tom. That was an immeasurable gift to me, knowing Tim was being so well cared for and raised in a safe home.

Fast forward to just a few months ago, October 13, 2025 — Tom lost his battle with Parkinson’s disease. Everyone gathered in Marshall, Michigan, to comfort each other and remember a life well lived. Family, friends, clients, and players he’d coached through the years came to support Nanny and their children: Evan, Ryan, and Kristen. 

Evan and Ryan each shared beautiful tributes and stories of their father’s life — how Tom invested his time in both his family and the young men he coached, on and off the field. How he taught the value of respect and honor, working hard, and playing hard. We laughed and cried… and then laughed some more. 

Ballplayers from years past came and shared with Nanny how Tom had impacted and changed the course of their lives. Many still carried with them a pledge that Tom gave all his players — The Battle Kid’s Pledge:

Dear God,

As the battle goes on in life, we ask for a playing field that’s fair and for a chance that’s equal as we strive for the courage to do and to dare. If we should win, let it be done by the code with our heads humbly held high, and if we should lose, let us stand by the road and cheer as the winners pass by.  

Amen.

So to my dear sweet Hashimoto, Nanny, and her husband, Tom Sharpley two heroes who helped heal my heart — I dedicate Rest Vol. 2.

And as you listen, I hope you too can draw from those timeless wells of thankfulness and faith: that you find hope to dream again, that you feel the strength from those who have loved and sacrificed for us.  I pray for you — as I do for Tom, now in Heaven — to find Rest, in Peace.