Cancer sucks: the sequel.
Back in July, I posted about an old friend who had chondrosarcoma of the spine, who had been moved into a nursing home. A couple of days ago they moved Barry to a hospital, because he had developed pneumonia. I called him yesterday and talked with him briefly, just long enough to tell him how much I love him and miss him. He was too weak and out of breath to talk any longer. I wish so much that I could have teleported the 1400 miles to hug him goodbye.
smallfurrywent to visit him last night, and said that he seemed like himself, although very weak. There were friends and family around him, and he got lots of calls from other friends. At least, after his being alone for so long, his friends were able to find him and he discovered how loved he was.
Barry died last night, peacefully in his sleep. He was surrounded with love. At least he wasn't alone in his last days.
Barry, I hope you know how much you were loved by so many people. The Mobile music scene would have been so much poorer without you. Thank you for teaching me how to sing from my gut, for telling me to "screw the prissy vocal training - just SING!" Thank you for the many conversations where you listened to me babble out my angst and heartbreak, sympathizing and never mentioning that you'd known so much more heartbreak yourself. Thank you for your kindness and generosity. I hope, wherever you are, that there is a pink paisley Strat waiting for you, with a tweed amp, and strings that always stay in tune and never break. I love you. We all do.
smallfurrywent to visit him last night, and said that he seemed like himself, although very weak. There were friends and family around him, and he got lots of calls from other friends. At least, after his being alone for so long, his friends were able to find him and he discovered how loved he was.
Barry died last night, peacefully in his sleep. He was surrounded with love. At least he wasn't alone in his last days.
Barry, I hope you know how much you were loved by so many people. The Mobile music scene would have been so much poorer without you. Thank you for teaching me how to sing from my gut, for telling me to "screw the prissy vocal training - just SING!" Thank you for the many conversations where you listened to me babble out my angst and heartbreak, sympathizing and never mentioning that you'd known so much more heartbreak yourself. Thank you for your kindness and generosity. I hope, wherever you are, that there is a pink paisley Strat waiting for you, with a tweed amp, and strings that always stay in tune and never break. I love you. We all do.