I listen to a lot of Grateful Dead. Every once in a while, I pause to think about the fact that I can, with a few clicks on my phone, start streaming one of a thousand live performances from the Dead’s archives.

This morning I was listening to Dick’s Picks Volume 16. It’s a show from 11//69, nearly 50 years ago. As I was tuning in to the extraordinary interplay between Jerry and Phil (and the rest of the band) in this particular performance of “The Other One” I couldn’t help but be filled with gratitude that someone (multiple people likely) had the foresight to think that others may one day want to listen to this particular recording.

What an extraordinary feat of thoughtfulness and generosity. What a blessing to me and thousands of others who have enjoyed this gift and inheritance. What a gift to future generations.

Gratitude for the Tapers