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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2017 17:53:49 GMT -5
Just sitting here, thinking about Lonnie. That's all. Yep. Me too, Jeff.
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Post by sekhmet on May 7, 2017 19:05:31 GMT -5
me too Jeff. He's here with all of us I think.
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Post by t-bob on May 7, 2017 19:05:50 GMT -5
Just sitting here, thinking about Lonnie. That's all. Yep. Me too, Jeff. me three, eh! It helps to remind us to appreciate every morning we wake up...the opportunity for... anything...we never know when our last day will find us...make it good...
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Post by Village Idiot on May 7, 2017 19:32:02 GMT -5
I went to a concert at the Farmer's Mercantile today, the place where we play at Idiotjam. Listened to some great music, thinking about Lonnie. I swear some part of his aura has filled the place. A good part of it.
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Post by billhammond on May 7, 2017 19:38:49 GMT -5
Dear Friends, Lowell "Lonnie" Knight passed away this afternoon, beautifully, peacefully, exactly where he wanted to be -- on the brick-red couch of the enclosed front porch of his cozy south Minneapolis home, surrounded by seven fortunate souls. Outside, it was a perfect spring day. His eyes closed at 5:20.
A church chaplain miraculously arrived just before Lonnie began his transition, and the padre's words and calming hand movements on Lonnie's head and forehead will be a long-cherished memory for all of us, I am sure. Patti and Lonnie's sisters were all either hugging or caressing him and saying the gentlest, most loving sentiments one might imagine. Patti's daughter hovered nearby, occasionally having to deal with her 6-year-old daughter, a total sweetheart who earlier had picked a tulip and placed petals on Lonnie's bedding.
I had arrived at the house a little before noon and had just gotten out of my car when the transfer ambulance pulled up, staffed by two hyper-professional and gracious young people. A hospital bed had been set up in the living room and they got him into it with grace, calm and obvious concern for his comfort. Patti and Lonnie's sisters, as well as Patti's daughter and sister, all chipped in to prepare the setting. One of Lonnie's sisters is an RN, so there was that additional layer of expertise on hand, which was reassuring. Mid-afternoon a hospice nurse arrived to offer longer-term planning, guidance and assist in any way she could, and she stayed on, as it turned out, through Lonnie's passing, much appreciated and comforting for all.
Patti's son Don had arrived only a bit before the chaplain did, and was standing next to me when Lonnie died.
I'm not going to tell you there wasn't sobbing and deep sadness in that house today. And there will be more, lots more, in the days, months and years ahead. But that's as it should be. There also were moments when he became a bit agitated and uncomfortable, but meds and calming loved ones mitigated that. After he was moved from the living room bed to the porch, he calmed down markedly. And he even got to have a couple of puffs on a cigarette, what the hell, right?
He is at peace, I am at peace, Patti is amazing and seems to me to have an ideal attitude about everything. All the others were wonderful to interact with, and Glenn did what he promised Lonnie he would do -- he worked throughout the afternoon on a back-door repair project. He wasn't on the porch when Lonnie passed, but he had said his up-close goodbyes and hugs shortly beforehand.
All who knew Lonnie have lost an amazing human. We could all go on and on about him. Feel free to do so. He would like that, and he very well may be listening.
I was able to convey to Patti early in the afternoon some of the Soundhole sentiments expressed overnight and this morning, and she may very well check in at some point. I'll convey details on services as soon as I know them.
Love ya, man, now and forever. There will be some amazing music in the beyond tonight.
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Post by drlj on May 7, 2017 19:43:42 GMT -5
Sad, sad news. I am glad you were able to be there. God Bless you, Lonnie.
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Post by Hobson on May 7, 2017 19:44:00 GMT -5
I just posted in the daily about what a wonderful afternoon I had. And now I see this. But if one has to die, that is the way it should happen. So I'll still call this a very good day.
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Post by fauxmaha on May 7, 2017 19:46:27 GMT -5
Thanks, Bill. And damn.
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Post by kenlarsson on May 7, 2017 19:47:10 GMT -5
Rest in peace Lonnie.
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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2017 19:59:32 GMT -5
Lonnie taught me how to face the end with courage and grace.
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Post by TKennedy on May 7, 2017 20:10:36 GMT -5
It's a powerful thing to be in attendance as a soul leaves this world. I'm so glad you were Bill.
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Tamarack
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Post by Tamarack on May 7, 2017 20:11:57 GMT -5
Bill -- thank you for being there at the side of a friend, and representing all of us at a sacred moment.
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Post by t-bob on May 7, 2017 20:13:45 GMT -5
If I had Lonnie's life ....10%! I could a lucky man. I hope I get to see you again, Lonnie. RIP
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Post by millring on May 7, 2017 20:16:16 GMT -5
Thanks Bill. That can't have been easy to write just yet. But I'm glad you did while still feeling the entirety of it. It helped me feel a little of the scene by your proxy.
And should you glimpse my wandering form out on the borderline Between death and resurrection and the council of the pines Do not worry for my comfort, do not sorrow for me so All your diamond tears will rise up and adorn the sky beside me when I go -Dave Carter
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Post by Village Idiot on May 7, 2017 20:18:30 GMT -5
I cannot say how sorry I am to hear this. I know the grief never ends. But the beautiful people who surrounded him will be able to look back and remember how they took care of him at the end. Moving him to the couch on the enclosed porch is the most touching thing I've read throughout this. For those who were around him, looking back and remembering how they honored him by doing that will be a balm in a sea of grief for as long as they remember him. Which will be forever. There are some very good people in this world, and right now it seems like they all knew Lonnie.
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Post by billhammond on May 7, 2017 20:19:07 GMT -5
It's a powerful thing to be in attendance as a soul leaves this world. I'm so glad you were Bill. Me, too -- an amazing privilege. You were all there in spirit, believe me.
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Post by theevan on May 7, 2017 20:20:54 GMT -5
Beautifully said, Bill. I'm sorry for your loss. And our loss.
May we adorn one another with love and kindness.
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Post by billhammond on May 7, 2017 20:22:13 GMT -5
Thanks Bill. That can't have been easy to write just yet. But I'm glad you did while still feeling the entirety of it. It helped me feel a little of the scene by your proxy. And should you glimpse my wandering form out on the borderline Between death and resurrection and the council of the pines Do not worry for my comfort, do not sorrow for me so All your diamond tears will rise up and adorn the sky beside me when I go -Dave Carter I wanted to write as soon as I could, and it was not hard at all. It's like crying -- it's easy and it feels good, even if the cause for the tears feels awful.
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Post by Russell Letson on May 7, 2017 20:24:31 GMT -5
I've been playing "I'll Fly Away" on and off all day. Now I know why.
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Post by xyrn on May 7, 2017 20:26:34 GMT -5
It's a powerful thing to be in attendance as a soul leaves this world. I'm so glad you were Bill. Me, too -- an amazing privilege. You were all there in spirit, believe me. I'm sorry to hear he is gone but I'm very glad he got to die at home, connected to loved ones and not machines. Around 5:20, huh? I was outside enjoying the sun and playing with my son. It WAS a beautiful day. LIFE is beautiful. Godspeed, Lonnie.
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