Music

 Yeah, I play the guitar. It was very cool in the 60's to be able to strum and croon ,'The Rising Sun' or 'Bogangles'. And I sure wanted to be cool.

In truth, my meager song writing and guitar playing abilities is likely how I enraptured my wife, the most significant, the most fortuitous event of my life. She had music in her and she was attracted to someone who shared the muse. 

But I never learned music. It's all by ear for me. And it was so for my dad, Frank. He played guitar a little, but more, the ukelele. It worked so much better at the church talent shows.

I passed on a passion for playing instrumental music to my kids, especially my sons, and Connie passed on her singing gift to our daughter. The boys both wanted to play the saxaphone and, in 5th grade ,we rented two alto saxes from Al Corey. About 9 months into it, I called them to the living room for a serious discussion. "You are not spending time practicing your saxaphones. Should I send them back?" They both broke down in tears. And so it began.

They joined Band. And Marching Band, And Jazz Band. They went to Jazz Camp. They were awarded State Jazz Band honors. Eric learned to play the drums and bought a set with his own money. He joined several bands and they all practiced in our bassement...where the drums were.

These were grunge bands. "Captain Suck". "Bung Monkey". "Statistical Density". Loud. Edgey. The girls loved it. I used to pass the band members hearing protection on their way to the basement and flicker the lights when it was too late...or too loud.

They both took the music with they when they went off to college and they jammed whenever the opportunity presented itself. 

We know that Eric played drums and sax at  Ormond College. in Australia. He shared his music and they loved it. Such an intimate connection.

At his funeral we played "Off He Goes" by Pearl Jam. It is my connection.

Ryan grew musically. He was elected "Best Jazz Musician", in high school, in Portland, in the press. He played locally. at clubs, with bands, walk on. The music was in him. And he understood the music. Like I never did...or  ever will.

And now, they are both gone. So, did the music die with them? I did my best, brought it to the peak of excellence with my prodgeny.

It will go on.

Just not my job any more to make it so.