Two things related only through my experiences...
My great aunt Dorothy was a wonderfully outgoing person that always made sure to let me know how much she cared. The fondest memory is being at one of the extended family's farm house (surrounded on all side were corn fields where we'd grab ears to boil and eat in just mere minutes, the classic red barn, and a tire swing hung from an old wind-bent tree) and getting to sit next to 'my' Dorothy and listen to her stories. She would always talk and laugh and entertain the toddler through elementary school child I was everytime we could do so.
Many years later, I was standing outside of a local bar called the Safari Club, walking into a Halloween special bill with three local bands for a gore-themed music event. The venue was a small hole-in-the-wall where I had caught a fair number of up and coming acts, regional touring bands, and several bands that had big hits but were still stopping into small venues in between major stops. The last band that evening was a local one I went out of my way to hear as often as I could. A great friend of mine had joined the band to be the front man, and was really proud of the group. One of the things that really stood out was the frenetic drummer that they had.... fast for sure, but, more importantly, made it feel like it all could come flying apart at the seams. Joey Jordison would bring his 'A' game every damn time... and I got to see him play with Slipknot so many times in so many types of venues.
Both of these people passed away within the last day or so, and I will cherish the memories that I am lucky to have.
Time for me to disappear again.
