|
Post by millring on May 6, 2017 18:23:35 GMT -5
This has been a strange day. I woke up to this news on the Soundhole. But I was up early. Dar and I had a trip to Lafayette planned to attend a memorial service.
The whole day has circled around who we've lost and who we're about to lose.
Lafayette's not a long drive, so five hours later Dar, Breeze, and I were back home and enjoying a walk in the woods. Our trails.
Early this morning I told Dar about you, Lonnie. But on the trails I told her about this thread. As we walked she asked "Well, what did you write to him?" I told her what I wrote.
She stopped. It took a minute for me'n'Breeze to realize she'd stopped. When I did finally sense her absense, I turned around on the narrow trail. There she stood, head canted to one side, and the look said it before the words did...
"You're kidding, right? You couldn't think of anything more to say? The guy feels like absolute crap and yet still comes out in lousy, rainy April weather and with only last minute notice just to meet you? And you can't think of anything more to say?"
It's been eating at me all day. I wish there was more to say. I wish we could have spent more time together. I wish I could have heard you play more. I wish I could read you write more. I wish I could read more of the fruits of your thoughtful, intelligent, reasonable, generous mind than I was able to in the brief years of interaction on the limited platform that is the Soundhole. And I wish I could make you live more. And I hope that that last wish is the most foolish wish of all. I hope what awaits you makes that last wish laughable.
I once heard a preacher talk about "finishing well". Like the proverb extolling a life that enters the world crying while everyone around him is smiling...and exits it just the opposite way. Like leaving a legacy. Like mattering and knowing it. Finishing well.
You finished extremely well. Words can't say how much you will be missed. By me. By so many others.
|
|
|
Post by Doug on May 6, 2017 18:40:37 GMT -5
Marines don't cry. It's just something in my eye.
|
|
|
Post by t-bob on May 6, 2017 18:57:52 GMT -5
Lonnie....he gave me a little blurb in my Facebook wall or Messenger?- Sept 2016.
He wrote this. "Our talk was his best minutes this day in the TrainDepot at the IJam"
I was flabbergasted!
This man is an angel, spiritual person.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 6, 2017 19:00:05 GMT -5
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 6, 2017 19:04:37 GMT -5
Lonnie,
I don't know if you're still checking social media or this thread, or if you'll ever get to see this post, because it's likely late, you're in Minneapolis and I'm in New York, and my daughter is marching up and down the apartment doing Face Time with her bestie and speaking way too loudly.
But if you do see this, I just wanted to underscore what a pleasure it was to meet you at IJam last fall, and hear you play, sing, and bask in the light waves of your great, dry humor. In light of all that has happened, and this thread, and your sensibilities and attitude, and this enormous outpouring of love, I have to tell you that you are a huge inspiration to all of us here and to people who will one day wish they had known you because the people who have loved you will tell those people all about you, and share anecdotes, quotes, and music. You have taught me a great deal about grace, and I thank you.
It has been brief, but it has been an honor. Godspeed to you.
|
|
|
Post by dradtke on May 6, 2017 19:21:00 GMT -5
This has been a strange day. I woke up to this news on the Soundhole. But I was up early. Dar and I had a trip to Lafayette planned to attend a memorial service. The whole day has circled around who we've lost and who we're about to lose. Lafayette's not a long drive, so five hours later Dar, Breeze, and I were back home and enjoying a walk in the woods. Our trails. Early this morning I told Dar about you, Lonnie. But on the trails I told her about this thread. As we walked she asked "Well, what did you write to him?" I told her what I wrote. She stopped. It took a minute for me'n'Breeze to realize she'd stopped. When I did finally sense her absense, I turned around on the narrow trail. There she stood, head canted to one side, and the look said it before the words did... "You're kidding, right? You couldn't think of anything more to say? The guy feels like absolute crap and yet still comes out in lousy, rainy April weather and with only last minute notice just to meet you? And you can't think of anything more to say?" It's been eating at me all day. I wish there was more to say. I wish we could have spent more time together. I wish I could have heard you play more. I wish I could read you write more. I wish I could read more of the fruits of your thoughtful, intelligent, reasonable, generous mind than I was able to in the brief years of interaction on the limited platform that is the Soundhole. And I wish I could make you live more. And I hope that that last wish is the most foolish wish of all. I hope what awaits you makes that last wish laughable. I once heard a preacher talk about "finishing well". Like the proverb extolling a life that enters the world crying while everyone around him is smiling...and exits it just the opposite way. Like leaving a legacy. Like mattering and knowing it. Finishing well. You finished extremely well. Words can't say how much you will be missed. By me. By so many others. I've thought about that evening several times recently. And all I can say - in classic soundhole understatement - is I'm so glad we could all be together for a little while that evening. Not well, rushed, busy, whatever. We all made time. That's good.
|
|
|
Post by james on May 6, 2017 19:29:05 GMT -5
You are a pixel pal but if tears were beers that would be some weird salty booze and if smiles are miles, that's a long sunny road. Summat like that. X
|
|
|
Post by Chesapeake on May 6, 2017 23:58:13 GMT -5
Lonnie, we've met only on these digital pages, but I've always enjoyed your posts , and treasured the times I've gotten to see you perform via video. Now, your courage and good spirit are absolutely inspiring. Godspeed, my friend.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 7, 2017 6:57:17 GMT -5
Lonnie appears to have become the Leader of the Pack. Where he goes we all shall follow.
I wrote this the other day ... it's not finished but I thought I'd share it
Starry Crown
The easiest thing I've ever found Is just up and falling down Yet they tell me I am bound To one day wear a starry crown
Starry crown, starry crown Though I be laid in the cold, cold ground Starry crown, starry crown Someday I'll be homeward bound
The hardest thing I ever found Is squarely hitting something round All around me people frowned I'll be smiling at the sound Starry crown, starry crown Though I be laid in the cold, cold ground Starry crown, starry crown Someday I'll be homeward bound
The strangest thing that I have found Is love amidst the pence and pound Every friend, horse or hound Will someday awake in that Splendid town
Starry crown, starry crown Though I be laid in the cold, cold ground Starry crown, starry crown Someday I'll be homeward bound
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 7, 2017 7:58:59 GMT -5
Lonnie appears to have become the Leader of the Pack. Where he goes we all shall follow. I wrote this the other day ... it's not finished but I thought I'd share it Starry Crown The easiest thing I've ever found Is just up and falling down Yet they tell me I am bound To one day wear a starry crown Starry crown, starry crown Though I be laid in the cold, cold ground Starry crown, starry crown Someday I'll be homeward bound The hardest thing I ever found Is squarely hitting something round All around me people frowned I'll be smiling at the sound Starry crown, starry crown Though I be laid in the cold, cold ground Starry crown, starry crown Someday I'll be homeward bound The strangest thing that I have found Is love amidst the pence and pound Every friend, horse or hound Will someday awake in that Splendid town Starry crown, starry crown Though I be laid in the cold, cold ground Starry crown, starry crown Someday I'll be homeward bound You're onto something there. Great work.
|
|
|
Post by Shannon on May 7, 2017 9:01:05 GMT -5
About once a month I am called upon to play piano at church in the minutes prior to the service while people are filing in. Just a little meditation music, I guess. Today was one of those days. The first tune I played was the Tommy Dorsey hymn "Precious Lord, Take My Hand."
Precious Lord, take my hand Lead me on, help me stand I am tired, I am weak, I am worn Through the storm, through the night Lead me on to the light Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home
That was for Lonnie.
The next thing I played was an old tune, "Farther Along."
Farther along, we'll know all about it Farther along, we'll understand why Cheer up, my brother, walk in the sunshine We'll understand it all bye and bye
That was for the rest of us.
|
|
|
Post by billhammond on May 7, 2017 9:09:02 GMT -5
About once a month I am called upon to play piano at church in the minutes prior to the service while people are filing in. Just a little meditation music, I guess. Today was one of those days. The first tune I played was the Tommy Dorsey hymn "Precious Lord, Take My Hand." Precious Lord, take my hand Lead me on, help me stand I am tired, I am weak, I am worn Through the storm, through the night Lead me on to the light Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home That was for Lonnie. The next thing I played was an old tune, "Farther Along." Farther along, we'll know all about it Farther along, we'll understand why Cheer up, my brother, walk in the sunshine We'll understand it all bye and bye That was for the rest of us. That was beautiful, Shannon -- God bless you.
|
|
Tamarack
Administrator
Ancient Citizen
Posts: 9,374
|
Post by Tamarack on May 7, 2017 9:17:52 GMT -5
Shannon - perfect choice of music. Meditativeness is an appropriate response to these events.
|
|
Tamarack
Administrator
Ancient Citizen
Posts: 9,374
|
Post by Tamarack on May 7, 2017 9:19:05 GMT -5
"The strangest thing that I have found, is love amidst the pence and pound"
Great line!
|
|
|
Post by j on May 7, 2017 10:43:49 GMT -5
Thinking of you and Patti, Lonnie. I am so thankful--and so indisputably richer-- for our brief but meaningful meeting a couple of summers ago. Wishing you peace, and solace, and comfort, and strength. Love from afar, J
|
|
|
Post by Village Idiot on May 7, 2017 12:13:39 GMT -5
Perfect music. Farther Along wasn't just for the congregation, it was for all of us. Thank you for that.
|
|
Dub
Administrator
I'm gettin' so the past is the only thing I can remember.
Posts: 19,852
|
Post by Dub on May 7, 2017 12:35:38 GMT -5
Patti posted this on Facebook.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 7, 2017 13:16:29 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by xyrn on May 7, 2017 13:31:19 GMT -5
I've loved this song since I was a child. It always makes me happy.
To you, Lonnie.
|
|
|
Post by fauxmaha on May 7, 2017 17:48:46 GMT -5
Just sitting here, thinking about Lonnie.
That's all.
|
|