I met a couple of friends early on in my business venture; David and Don are brothers who always camped next or near to my group at the River's Edge Campground, during Merlefest. It was great to see them every year, and David wrote a couple of great reviews concerning Dancin'Dave's... on a couple of chat groups.
When Merlefest started the assigned seating, David scored a couple of beautiful seats, Row 10; seats 38 & 39. And for some reason, the folks in seats 36 & 37 never showed up. Because of this, Lynn and I many times sat in those seats, diggin' the music with David and Don....we wouldn't have wanted to share the music more with anyone.
Then one year David showed up at Merlefest much lighter than usual....he had lost many pounds because of the start of a battle with cancer. At this point he actually looked great! He was slim and looking healthy but he was quick to point out why he had lost so many pounds so quickly...but seemed confidant that he had been "cured".
Well, he wasn't....and for a few years he was obviously becoming sicker; but still seeing and hearing as much Merlefest music that he could handle. The last year that we saw him it was pretty clear that it was for the last time, but we all put up a good front. It was damned sad...
The next year Don showed up with a friend of his and the story of David's last days. David had a super sense of humor and so was quick with the smile or the quips. He and Don shared this trait right to the end and Don told how David would be doin' the comforting and keeping everyone in good humor even as he was suffering.
Don also had a few of David's ashes, and they were spread under seat 39. He also told me that in one of David's last days he instructed Don that if he ever could not make it to Merlefest that the tickets should go to Lynn and me.
For the last three years or four years now Lynn and I have enjoyed the music and those seats even more than usual, for we are doin' it for our friend...and he would be happy to know that we are doing so.
Peace, David
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2 comments:
Dave - This is a great piece. It's touching and real and tells the story in a real and genuine way. Thanks! It was good to see you at Merlefest, and I haven't forgotten the matter we talked about there. Just very busy for now, but will be getting to it this summer. - Ted
Wow. Great story. Thanks for sharing.
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