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Lost former bandmate today,

O

One_Dude

Mar 23, 2005
672
1,226
Appalachian Wilderness
#1
Don't mean for this to be a downer, just feel a need to talk about a former bandmate a little.

A former bandmate passed away today; it was not unexpected as she retired from the band about two years ago for health reasons. She was a founding member, a great singer, a terrific song writer, and had a wonderful sense of humor. The band broke up after she retired, and I would usually see her at a local jam twice a month since then. That is until the Covid business started; all gatherings like jams have been cancelled, so it's been several months since I have seen her.

It seems like the stars aligned against her this time; she had a stroke in June, failing kidneys after that, and was diagnosed with Covid about three weeks ago. She finally succumbed to heart failure today. Of course, she was not allowed visitors throughout her decline, and was not really able to talk on the phone either, so there was no chance for contact other than sending cards. There also will not be a funeral service because of the Covid, but probably a memorial at a later date.

I joined a new band almost a year ago that I am really enjoying. Last year we did 41 dates; this year we had 39 scheduled, and have done 3. We continue to practice, so I have been kept busy and distracted with that. I wish there was more we all could have done for her during this time, but it seems like that was just not possible. At least she is no longer suffering, and there is some comfort in that.

Thanks for listening, hold your family and friends close, and PRESS ON!

Thump on,

One_Dude
 
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#3
That must have been one tough woman, took all that to finally send her home.

I'm very sorry for your loss.

I've lost a lot of people in my time. I can only pass on two things I learned from a lot of time face to face with grief:

If it was up to me, they'd still be here . . . . but unfortunately, it wasn't up to me. We have to live in faith that everything is working to a plan we shall never have revealed to us.

And that, IF they could speak to you from across the void, they would have us go on with our life, it's what we know they would expect us to do.

All the Best,

JW
 
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#6
One_Dude said:
Don't mean for this to be a downer, just feel a need to talk about a former bandmate a little.

A former bandmate passed away today; it was not unexpected as she retired from the band about two years ago for health reasons. She was a founding member, a great singer, a terrific song writer, and had a wonderful sense of humor. The band broke up after she retired, and I would usually see her at a local jam twice a month since then. That is until the Covid business started; all gatherings like jams have been cancelled, so it's been several months since I have seen her.

It seems like the stars aligned against her this time; she had a stroke in June, failing kidneys after that, and was diagnosed with Covid about three weeks ago. She finally succumbed to heart failure today. Of course, she was not allowed visitors throughout her decline, and was not really able to talk on the phone either, so there was no chance for contact other than sending cards. There also will not be a funeral service because of the Covid, but probably a memorial at a later date.

I joined a new band almost a year ago that I am really enjoying. Last year we did 41 dates; this year we had 39 scheduled, and have done 3. We continue to practice, so I have been kept busy and distracted with that. I wish there was more we all could have done for her during this time, but it seems like that was just not possible. At least she is no longer suffering, and there is some comfort in that.

Thanks for listening, hold your family and friends close, and PRESS ON!

Thump on,

One_Dude
Click to expand...
Sorry to hear of your loss. Wish you and her family the best -- peace and strength. I agree with the sentiment that those who care for us would not want to see us bogged down (though would understand if that happens for awhile) but to see us happy and living life, even as we remember and miss them.

Take care.
 
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#18
Sorry for your loss. I totally get it, we lost my former singer several years ago. I had left the band more than a decade before and probably hadn’t seen him in at least 8 years when he succumbed to a brain aneurism. Even though I had been out of touch, it hit me pretty hard. My condolences.
 

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