The American Veterans Radio is running a show today, with my (albeit shaky, emotional ) voice! The reason I was emotional, was because some wonderful people ( Willie J Hoevers, Janette Frawley ) across our globe are running a tribute to our late friend of 17 years, John Denver, and weeks ago, I was asked to write a letter to John, reminiscing about the connection and the time thats passed. It turned out to be a bit emotional, but thats okay... its good that friends can touch your heart... even if you havent seen them in a long while. ( The link to AVRadio is below. ) Heres the letter, which will be on the air, read by me: Dear John, Another year is passing in our beloved Rocky Mountain paradise. I wish you were here to see the golden glory as the aspens settle in for winter. You always loved this place. I remember once when we were talking, and you mentioned that you were moving to California to be closer to Jessie. Startled, I asked why you would leave Aspen. There was an uncomfortable silence, and your face became sad. Then, in a small voice, you mentioned that Aspen wasn’t home anymore. Oh, John, if I could take that conversation back, and “undo” the pain that it caused you, I would. But, we can’t take back actions or words, just as we can’t roll back the clock on sunsets in Monterey. I guess California won out in the long run. We visited the Maroon Bells, last weekend and I thought of you. The clouds were moving in, and there was indeed a storm across the valley. Shadows played melodies with the sunlight as they danced over the aspens and across the face of North Maroon Peak. I knew that if you were here, you’d just throw your head back, laugh, and be grateful for one more day in Aspen. But of course, I know you’re only here in my heart. You’ve already fulfilled your life’s purpose, while those of us left to carry on are still working on ours. Seventeen years have passed since you graced us with your melodic presence. We lost Dick Kniss awhile back, and this year we lost dear Joe, and Steve. Maybe there is something to the “Great Gig in the Sky”. With each passing friend I find that the pain moves on. However, the loss of the loved one never does. It stays with you, for the rest of your life. And, just as you really would have rather lived on the side of a mountain than in a city of concrete and steel, California’s cityscape won out to Aspen’s mountain vistas. You changed your life because of love for your daughter and that speaks volumes to me. I know we all grow up, but you were our mentor: The one who taught us to follow our hearts… To find our spirits… To run on ridges with wild horses.. To soar on eagle’s wings, and to love the land. So many of us have learned the life song, but… we’ve lost the singer. Yet there will always be a country boy in California, and the memories of him in my Colorado heart. You were here to show us the beauty on this world, and all too soon you were gone. And, after all these years, your words still speak to my spirit as clearly as the day they were penned. So, in closing, I just wanted to say, “Thank you”, for being my friend. Thank you, for having faith in me, for giving me a chance when you didn’t have to. Your actions as a friend gave a humble truth to your timeless words. So many times, people say the lines of a beautiful song, but you were one who actually lived them. As I say goodbye in this letter, I wanted you to know that I still think of you in moments when I’m happy and I’m smiling. Your songs comfort me on cold and cloudy days when I’m crying. And, still, I really do love to see the world go around, and the sun go down. And around and around. ~Rory The show will be airing, today, around 11:30 Mountain Time, on American Veterans Radio, at: avradio.org/
Posted on: Sat, 25 Oct 2014 15:27:57 +0000
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