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Post by billhammond on Aug 2, 2015 17:44:53 GMT -5
This year has brought so many earthshaking moments in our tribe -- Don Clark's ups-and-downs as he seeks a heart transplant, Dick Thaxter's ups-and-downs as he has fought cancer, several of us saying farewell to our mothers and fathers, others like Todd still deep in their grief over a loved one's passing, and now our beloved Resolve losing Dave, her husband of 40 years, at such an early age. And of course, Bruce had his serious cancer scare and we had serious bike injuries and TBob's stroke recovery to mull over and worry about.
Lonnie is pre-grieving for Billy Hallquist, a local musician who is very close to him but appears to be in his last months. So many Twin Cities musicians are seriously ill, and few have decent (or any) health insurance. Benefit concerts are more and more frequent.
Everywhere I turn, it seems -- at work, among members of my high school class, or at previous places of employment, dear friends are dying. The logical thinker in me realizes this is to be expected when one gets into their 60s, but here in this vibrant, youthful-behaving, so-alive music community, it just seems way out of whack somehow.
My daughter died 25 years ago today. I am at peace with that, although I miss her fervently and still have a good cry now and then about her short life.
But you know what? I have a much harder time these days thinking about all of you and wondering how you are doing and how much longer I will get to enjoy your company. And you mine.
So let's be extra kind to each other, and gather as often as we can, and give out the hugs and the attaboys with great abandon, OK? Life is indeed short.
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Post by fauxmaha on Aug 2, 2015 17:56:40 GMT -5
Nicely said, Bill.
My father in law had a stroke last week. The extent of the damage is still TBD. It's not immediately life threatening, but at 82 this is not good news.
Hugs and beers all around!
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Post by millring on Aug 2, 2015 18:01:08 GMT -5
attaboy.
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Post by drlj on Aug 2, 2015 18:07:36 GMT -5
You said it well, Bill. I could not agree more.
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Post by coachdoc on Aug 2, 2015 18:25:42 GMT -5
Thanks so much, Bill. There is so much quality around here and we are all reaching a time where maladies and the reaper can whisper to us at any moment. I so value the support we dispense so often around here, and literally grieve at some of the venom shared in our political discussions. Let us be as kindly as we can muster, as we appreciate our valued fellowship here.
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Post by patrick on Aug 2, 2015 18:36:27 GMT -5
I was just thinking the same thing. A constant reminder that we aren't here forever.
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Post by RickW on Aug 2, 2015 19:08:05 GMT -5
There is a part of me that says I should pack it in, quit work, and enjoy the fact that I have been blessed to have enough that my wife and I could live without work, all that stress, all that time spent doing things neither of us much loves. I lost my father very suddenly when I was 19, and he was exactly the age I'm at now. It could come at any time. But I still have promises I have made to my daughters, and getting them through school and into adulthood and then saddling them with debt before they are ready to go out into the world just doesn't seem right.
But a little love and compassion go a long way to making the days better ones. It's always worth the effort.
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Post by Village Idiot on Aug 2, 2015 19:42:22 GMT -5
Like Patrick, and I suspect many of us, I've been thinking about this recently too. So many things happening. I am fortunate to live where we have a major gathering every year, and besides Marty I haven't met a person that I haven't been truly thankful to for taking the time to come here. We are a good assemblage, and as Bill says it hurts us all to see one of us suffer. Any one of us. Let's all treat each other with kindness, but not to the point where we become boring as hell.
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Post by Russell Letson on Aug 2, 2015 20:35:08 GMT -5
I'm in the process of losing my second partner in 18 months to illness and disability (the jury is officially still out, but the odds are way against enough recovery to return to gigging), so Dick's bad downturn and Cyndy's and Alan's very recent losses (along with others scattered along the last few years) get added to the list of data-points confirming that yes, we are indeed mortal and vulnerable and one banana peel or burst blood vessel from the exit. But that, as I have posted elsewhere, is the deal. We're allowed to dodge that recognition when young ("surely an exception will be made in my case"), but after that, the wise person says, "Lucky me, lucky mud" and tries not to kvetch about the size of the portions.
(I suspect it will take more than a touch of memento mori to make us boring in the manner Todd fears.)
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Post by millring on Aug 2, 2015 20:37:47 GMT -5
(I suspect it will take more than a touch of memento mori to make us boring in the manner Todd fears.) That, and we've got that whole 'murdering mulberry trees' thing keeping us exciting. |
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Post by Lonnie on Aug 2, 2015 20:43:41 GMT -5
Thank you, Bill.
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Post by patrick on Aug 2, 2015 20:46:40 GMT -5
(I suspect it will take more than a touch of memento mori to make us boring in the manner Todd fears.) That, and we've got that whole 'murdering mulberry trees' thing keeping us exciting. I see a Mulberry Murder Mystery Adventures business opportunity here. Anybody in? |
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Post by Village Idiot on Aug 2, 2015 21:02:36 GMT -5
I thing Agatha Christie has passed away.
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Post by dradtke on Aug 2, 2015 21:23:37 GMT -5
Besides, I haven't read all the books you guys have recommended yet.
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Post by drlj on Aug 2, 2015 21:25:09 GMT -5
Mulberries are satan's fruit.
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Post by godotwaits on Aug 2, 2015 21:50:13 GMT -5
agreed
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Post by AlanC on Aug 2, 2015 22:17:42 GMT -5
Youse guys make me smile.
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Post by Cosmic Wonder on Aug 2, 2015 23:59:05 GMT -5
I really like it here.
Mike
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Post by mnhermit on Aug 3, 2015 9:15:55 GMT -5
Well said Bill.
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Post by sekhmet on Aug 3, 2015 10:08:33 GMT -5
*ditto* mn. Thank you again Billiam, for everything you have said over the years. You started the daily and you're responsible ultimately for all of this. So when you speak, I listen up.
The older I get the less I care about being right or wrong, and I'm plenty of both. As we all are.
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