A sad day, but can we see hope?

Iam sitting at my desk this Sunday morning whilst my children sleep upstairs thinking about yesterday; Saturday 22nd July 2011.
Yesterday will be remembered for many reasons. For many, it will be the day that Amy Winehouse died, for others the day that a terrorist bombed Oslo and shot almost 100 people Norway, for me a strange sad day which ended with what may be the last get together for the time being of my band, The Juliets.
Why should I mention The Juliets alongside two other tragic events? Clearly the band is nowhere near as important as the events mentioned? No it isn't but last night the band reminded me that despite what had happened during the day, life goes on and there is always hope.
You see, for me, the activities of the band have always been what I describe as a 'joyful mess'. A bunch of musicians who get together, have fun, make ok music and hopefully put a smile on people's faces. We even play Amy Winehouse songs.
What made it wonderful for me was that my wife and daughter joined in for the first time.
This is where the life goes on bit happens. I am 39, and my daughter is 12. She was joining in with the backing singers and having a great time and I felt proud seeing her do what is her passion, singing and joining in with other people. I hope that she continues to sing and live her dream to do this as much as possible and hopefully encourage other younger ones to do the same.
This is where the hope part was witnessed. It was indeed a strange day, but A group of people could still get together in a spirit of peace and community and do great things which are positive and good. This happened in Oslo last night as a memorial was set up for those that died and whilst there gathering there was sad, I know that there will be embers of hope for the future which will fan into flames of life and by their essence will fly in the face of those that seek to cause harm to others and hopefully serve to encourage people like Amy, who lost hope, to move with the flow of what is a God given gift of life.