(no subject)
I'm sitting in the airport at Albany, waiting for a flight that will take me home early for the worst of reasons.
I've talked to people about my grandfather on occasion. A strong, free thinking man with simple joys and a strong will. I always remembered fondly of the nights where his friends would come over to his house, and they'd play bluegrass music for hours. Thinking back, I think it was that exposure that sparked my love for folk and Irish music. Anything I know about farming and working the land I learned from him. I will always remember him fondly. I hadn't seen him in about 10 or 12 years. Jess and I were planning to visit him soon after getting back down south. But, he'd been fighting a battle with cancer and his heart that he lost last night. He had been degrading so much over the past few months, many of those around him have a since a relief that he's no longer suffering. I wish I had had a change to see him one last time, and say goodbye. But, I will simply have to be happy with an undamaged mental picture of a strong, vibrant man with a great love for a simple life.
I love you, Papa, and will never forget what you've taught me, just by being who you were.
Columbus Alvin Sikes
(April 17th, 1929 - March 6th, 2011)
I've talked to people about my grandfather on occasion. A strong, free thinking man with simple joys and a strong will. I always remembered fondly of the nights where his friends would come over to his house, and they'd play bluegrass music for hours. Thinking back, I think it was that exposure that sparked my love for folk and Irish music. Anything I know about farming and working the land I learned from him. I will always remember him fondly. I hadn't seen him in about 10 or 12 years. Jess and I were planning to visit him soon after getting back down south. But, he'd been fighting a battle with cancer and his heart that he lost last night. He had been degrading so much over the past few months, many of those around him have a since a relief that he's no longer suffering. I wish I had had a change to see him one last time, and say goodbye. But, I will simply have to be happy with an undamaged mental picture of a strong, vibrant man with a great love for a simple life.
I love you, Papa, and will never forget what you've taught me, just by being who you were.
Columbus Alvin Sikes
(April 17th, 1929 - March 6th, 2011)