by J. B. Griffin III.

As the editors of this publication will readily  and heartily verify, I am engaged in experimenting in groundbreaking  research in determining the absolute limit of the elasticity of the term  "deadline."  In layman's terms what that means is I am almost always late with my assignment

without so much as a good excuse, but this month I am glad that I am late.  Instead of the usual nonsense about engine knocks and squealing brakes I would like, instead, to pay tribute to a quality  individual.

We all awoke this morning, February 23, to the sad  news of a sudden and unexpected death.  It is always sad to see someone  depart this life in his prime.  It is more so when he is also one of the top talents in his chosen profession.  I am speaking, of course, of Anthony Burger, Cleveland native and world renowned pianist. 

First, let me say that I never met Anthony nor did  I ever attend his concerts, so I am not really qualified to pay tribute to him from the

perspective of a fan.  I almost attended a concert he gave in Cleveland last December but commitments and circumstances dictated  otherwise.  Now I wish I had gone.  I don't own any of his recordings,  but I'll probably buy a few now.  The point is I didn't really know much about his career, yet I learned things about Anthony Burger the individual which  made me keenly aware of him in spite of our different

paths.

Anthony was burned very badly as an eight month  old toddler.  So badly in fact, that the doctors told his parents that he might never use his hands!  Here are his words from his  web site*: "I was carried on a  pillow for a year, during which time I received three medicated baths a day for  my burns. The doctors said I'd never be able to move my hands after that. But  gradually, the Lord healed my hands because He had a job for me to do. I thank  God every day that the doctors were wrong, and that I stayed with it and play for Him."
www.anthonyburger.com

Anthony Burger strived for  excellence.  Excellence has become an

almost unused term for most Americans.  Average is what we are comfortable being.  I have heard it said by those who performed with him that he never missed a note even when accompanying them live and unrehearsed in impromptu concert performances.  He was a Steinway Artist.  For those unfamiliar  with that honor it is equivalent to being elected to a professional sports  hall-of-fame.  He performed all over the world in an almost continual  schedule, yet, those who knew him testified to an almost  unbelievable even-temperedness while encountering the thousand and one  inconveniences of the road.

There is nothing easy about achieving  excellence in any field.  It is doubly hard when you are expected to display that excellence without making any mistakes to audiences across the world day after day after day.  It is three times as hard as that to somehow make the time to keep your skills in shape while maintaining an  around the clock travel and performance schedule.  Yet Anthony seemed to pull it all off effortlessly.  That, folks, is the mark of a truly  great man.

He leaves behind a wife and three children.  To them I am sure he was just "Daddy" and they  are going to miss him.  I trust you will all be praying for the family in  the months to come.

JB Griffin is an ASE Certified Master Technician.  He owns and  operates JB's Japanese and American Auto Repair in Evensville, Tennessee.  You may e-mail your car questions to jeepster1515@yahoo.com
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