McSneek wrote:
Sadly his sister and grandson both loved to fly fish and will now have the memories that something that all three enjoyed so much contributed to a close loved one's death. There is nothing good about this tragic event.
Not sure about that one. I understand that everyone's feelings and thoughts are their own, but I feel I can weigh in on this.
About ten years ago, we were playing our Thursday night show at a local bar when my friend hit the last chord to the tune and turned around to tell me the next tune. His face immediately blanked and he collapsed. I caught him from the front, my dad caught him from the back, and we both laid him down on the floor and did my best to help, but there's not really much you can do about a massive heart attack.
I was messed up for a week after we put him in the ground. I'll never forget his widow's face watching us work on him on the stage in front of thirty people.
But, after a while, I got to thinking about it, and my friend died doing exactly what he loved to do most with the people he liked to be around the most. How many people do you know that are privileged to go out that way?
I don't have any bad memories or associations with the event or playing music, but I did gain a new sense of appreciation for my hobby that hasn't been lost.
The sick irony of the situation? The last song he ever sang was Hank Williams' "Your Cheating Heart".
You can't make this stuff up.
Whenever I sing the first line with the big C chord kick, I think of my friend.