Friday, August 18, 2006
Song For Mark
I wrote/recorded a new tune (chord melody - no lyrics) dedicated to Mark - it's posted on my website, http://www.docguitar.com/ To hear it, go to the website, scroll down, and clik: "A LOOK AT WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW" - the song will be at the top of the page. (Just clik it to play - if it doesnt open, save it to file and open that way.)
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Magic Carpet Ride
Had a really nice week - Terry and the kids came for a few days. It was an interesting counterpoint to the events of the past few weeks. The joy and laughter and youthful vitality children bring into the mix - along with the fact that we all had a chance to feel Terry's new as yet, unborn baby kickin and jumpin for joy in utero - all that added to the reality of life's ever-undulating cycles.
Everything was capped off last night at Bushkill park. We got there at dusk just as the crowds were exiting and the lights dimming at the rides. "They're all closed up for the night", people said as we approached the entrance. Altho I was VERY skeptical, Mama Di unabashedly approached the old lady begging just "one more ride for the little ones" - luke and grace.
I was only accustomed to the people who man the rides at 4H Fairs , who after a coupla days, load all the rides up and head into another town in a dizzy dull delirium, vacant eyes and vacant hearts, devoid of the joy their dull jobs are actually providing; the boardwalk college kids so intent on the dates or parties that night that they see children as just a huge interference to the frantic agendas they've been planning for hours, days, weeks, months.
No, Bushkill Park provided a new concept in "going to the rides". Mary Catherine, a young girl working at the park, on hearing Di's pleadings with the little old lady who runs the park, offered to go back and unlock the box that would allow the kids to take one last ride. And then as Luke was mumbling that he was wishing for one more ride, Mary Catherine agreed to not only that second one, but to a third one thrown in.
When offered money, she steadfastly refused several times until it would have been more rude of her to ignore the offering than accept. Reluctantly, she did. But what a doll - she helped turn a mess into magic.(Mary Catherine with the kids at Right)
(Mama Di, Granmom, and Aunt Mama Terry Below)
Saturday, August 05, 2006
A wrap up of what's going on this weekend
this last week, since we went to the hospital to say our last goodbyes to Mark, has been fraught with emotion and loss, cascading from the joys once shared to waking in the middle of the night and realizing you'll never see your close friend again. The family (ours), each individually, has been particlarly struck because of years of closeness.
We've been hanging out w/Diane, Ckristen, and Brie all week. Nathaniel made carbonara last night for the 2 families (and also Jim Viv. and of course Miranda) here at home - he did a great job for the J family's first foray out of 611 Raub st. I have to say Jim has been a rock thru this all, extremely supportive for Di. A great guy.
Today at 4 is the funeral - family and real close friends to keep it manageable (small)for Diane, altho, since mark has been cremated, there wont be a burial - his ashes will be cast at Hawke Point tomorrow. Dinner follows at Diane's tonight and then tomorrow is the memorial at Hawke Point Country Club from 3-6 - a celebration of life at which I'll be playing.
As it turns out Marks dad suffered from a debilitating heart attack at almost the same age which left him almost completely dependent on Dot, Marks mom. Mark gave specific instructions to Diane to never allow that to happen to him. So with much anguish and a desire to fulfill marks wishes, she reluctantly released him.
God bless all.
love,
doc
