Memories

[+ purplekow]

YouTube - Barbra Streisand - The Way We Were (1975)

 

1975, for those of us old enough to vividly recall it, was perhaps the last innocent year.

For all of our friends waiting for us somewhere else, this post is for you.

 

NCM gone from us this year leaving behind the memories of a gentle soul and a classy man.

 

Please leave the name of friends and family that have left us in this year. May all of you find peace in their memory.

[+ honcho]

I don't think he ever rented but ...

 

A 62 year old Bassoonist friend of mine was killed in an automobile accident over Memorial Day weekend. He played in the SF Ballet Orchestra, and was looking forward to moving to Florida when he retired and not having to wear a stitch of clothing ever again (well, hardly ever).

 

Requiesit in Pacem, David.

[+ David-SF]

Thanks PK for this thread

 

I was sitting at SFO waiting for my flight going over my past year.

it was a great year but my memories of my friends that passed away seem to cloud my gratitude at times.

2009

while I was traveling through the Pacific northwest working my best friend of 15 years died suddenly from Aids related complications he was doing fine for a very long time and things turned over night and he died.

we traveled and hung out laughed cried and fought about everything and looked out for each other.

he was sick for a very long time but his death threw me for a big loop.

i really thought he would get better. He did get better many times but in the end he could not fight anymore.

A huge loss to this world he was a musician and a writer and a terrible friend.

but I loved him dearly.

2009

Dan Cusick

he was the neighborhood go to guy for all things an ear some cash some food a safe place to hang out

he paid to have my dog see a vet during the lean years and would often say

 

"hunny you have no idea what is in store for your wonderful life. GET GRATEFUL !!!"

 

WOW how right he was. he was my friend for many years and a community organizer and an supporter of many good fights with city and local government.

He died in 2009 of liver cancer I was working in Las Vegas at the time.

 

Father Joe Healy

Just died 3 weeks ago our good friend and openly gay catholic priest

he loved that i am an escort and would jokingly beg me to come confess my sins always with a hug and smile I would sometimes attend mass at most holy redeemer just because he would be doing the morning mass and he made me feel good about my self my work and my heart.

 

every time I got a chance I told him how much I loved him he was battling cancer for many years we always expected any day he would pass he went on for many many years his last service i attended was Dan Cusicks memorial. fitting and amazing.

 

there are more but I choose to not dwell the point is the time we have is precious and the time we have with those we love even more so.

seems mostly the only time I get to dress up in a suit is to attend a memorial service.

 

I just hope 2010 the services i attend will be commitments ceremonies and formal parties.

Looking forward to getting back to work in NYC and having a great visit

Thanks for letting me spend some time remembering these very special people

xo David

[Bart]

Dear Purple thanks for this thread. Nothing could be better for me than a little Strieshand, one of my mom's favorite artists along with Sinatra.

 

I have blathered on much about my mom, the greatest influence in my life both as a child and adult. She became her own person after my dad died 26 years ago. She was not the mild and meek person, I thought. She became a business woman, dancer, enteprenuer, grand mother, but always carried the label of mother as proud person of her children.

 

2009 was a sad year for son's and their mom's. Tyger, Tom Isern, Dane Scott and myself will all remember 2009 for those who made us, formed us but most important loved us for who we were, for all our faults, they were always there when others weren't.

 

If there is a message, please seek out those who you truely love in your heart. Put all your pettiness behind, be the big person and seek reconcilliation and give them a hug from your heart. Truely once they are gone, there is no more chances. Why live with regret, move forward seek out those who are important to who you are!

 

May peace and love envelope your lives for 2010!

[KMEM]

I also thank PK for bringing this up but I especially thank Bart for reminding us that not only are there those who are now dearly departed who shaped and were special in our lives but also there are many still alive that we should make a special effort to thank, hug, whatever right now while they are still with us.

 

Thanks.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[+ Charlie]

Last February, I called my mother's cousin to wish her a happy 100th birthday; she assured me that she intended to call me on my 100th birthday, too. Unfortunately, she died in September. She was an interesting lady, and my last link to my family's history before World War I, which we often discussed. Make sure you converse with the older members of your family while you still have them, because they are often the only source of information about things you will be curious about when you're older.

[Guest greatness]

So thoughtful

 

Purplekow, you are so thoughtful.