Ever have one of those days/weeks/months when nothing makes sense, much less makes you happy? Yeah, that.

Maybe it’s the soggy summer winding down and kids getting ready to go back to school. Even though I don’t have to hit the books come September, that feeling never quite goes away, and weirdly, irrationally, hangs over my grownup head as Labor Day approaches.

Ever have one of the days/weeks/months when you don’t wanna get out of bed, make coffee, walk the dog and go to work, work, work? I’m betting that you do, as do I, and (full disclosure) I’m having one of those/that/them right now. It’s not that I don’t like/love/enjoy what I do—I do, but sometimes life has a way...

Perhaps I should be grateful that I’m alive, and like many of us, I have to get up, make coffee, walk the dog and work, work, work—because it often (but not always) chases the blues away.

If nothing else, being busy, busy, staves off a visit to the pity pot and allows me the opportunity to think about others and their contributions to society, rather than dwell on my own shortcomings, sadness and blah, blah, blah.

Fortunately, I had a few events on my schedule last week that matched the criteria put forth, one involving young folks just venturing out into the world and the other a retrospective of a life well-lived; both turned out to be exciting, inspiring and uplifting—so there’s that.

The young folks in question were putting on a show in my neck of the woods. Even though I write about it fairly often, it’s because there is always something exciting going on at the Forestburgh Playhouse (FBP).

I’ve spread myself thin this summer, paying visits to as many other theaters and their productions as I could—so there’s that.

The Theatre for Young Artists Musical Camp is brand new at the FBP this year, and is “designed specifically for older young artists.” Is that an oxymoron? Maybe it’s me.

The two-week musical theatre session offers participants an “opportunity to work one-on-one with NYC-based directors, choreographers and musical directors,” culminating in a full-length production.

I didn’t know there was a splashy Broadway version of the classic cartoon, but am a new fan of “The SpongeBob Musical” because boy-oh-boy was it fantastic.

Honestly, I was blown away by the production, replete with professional sets, costumes, lighting and sound—but even more so because the sheer talent displayed on stage and off, by the cast, crew and staff was inspiring.

Full disclosure: Seeing these young adults learn, grow and achieve made my day/week/month—and it gave me an opportunity to cry in public without having to explain the cause.

As for the uplifting portion of the weekend, it was in the form of a concert called “Still Time for a Miracle: A Benefit for Ramona,” organized by the “Friends of Ramona Jan” in partnership with the fine folks at the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance.

Presented at the Tusten Theatre in Narrowsburg, NY, the concert was a retrospective of a lifetime of songs written by Jan and featuring jazz legend Kazzrie Jaxen and Ramona’s musician/husband/partner Andre Turan, with a wonderful assist from vocalists Caroline Verdi and Shawn Bailey, and bassist Roger Brinkerhoff.

Emceed by Greg Triggs, the benefit was a tribute to Jan, who is battling cancer and can use the assist that her friends were happy to provide, making a small dent in the mountain of medical bills piling up.

That said, it was music on the bill last Saturday as jazz pianist/vocalist/genius Jaxen wowed the audience during the first half of the afternoon with brand-new jazz interpretations of Ramona’s early years (think punk rock). Kazzrie did what Kazzrie does best. Blew. Us. Away.

Looking radiant, Ramona held court during intermission before Andre and the others took center stage for the second act, which covered Jan’s post-punk era, including contemporary songs written up to the minute.

Ramona's musician/husband/partner Andre Turan took center stage for the second act, which covered Jan’s post-punk era, including contemporary songs …

Jazz genius Kazzrie Jaxen did what Kazzrie Jaxen does best. Blew. Us. Away.

Some people in the audience were sad, not unlike the way I felt before I arrived. But I wasn’t—for a change—mostly because we were all celebrating a life well lived, one that isn’t over yet.

While Ramona’s situation is serious, she was right there with us, looking well and according to her, “feeling OK” too. Honoring her work and career with her, rather than without, was a wonderfully refreshing way to celebrate a life well lived, while it’s still ongoing, in person with the honoree.

As is my wont, I hastily jotted down a note or two following the benefit concert. “Save your tears,” I advised myself, “full disclosure: there’s plenty of time for that later. If we paid tribute to more people during their lifetime,” I wrote, “rather than after the fact, the world would be a better place and we’d all be better for it. In my humble opinion.”

To make a contribution, go to www.vivaramona.com, and to learn more about the Forestburgh Playhouse Academy, visit www.fbplayhouse.org.

Kazzrie Jaxen, left; Roger Brinkerhoff; Andre Turan; Caroline Verdi; and Shawn Bailey paid musical tribute to Ramona Jan at the Tusten Theare last …