My dear dear friends here, thank you.

[Mika]

My family has been hit with a great loss. A permanent loss. But out of this some discoveries of great value. Life can be short - one must do what one can while one is able.

I want to publicly thank all of you who sent such compassionate messages of condolence and encouragement. You know who you are. I thank all of you from the bottom of my heart. It means a lot to me. Thank you sfexpat for your thoughtful threads directed towards me. :cry:

I also want to declare to all here, that I know no one as caring as Mr Billy Burnett and his family. They're angels on earth. They are my family forever. Not only because of what they did for me, but for who they are. Billy is a musician extraordinaire. Mandolin, banjo, guitar, bandola, you name it he plays it, and well. Some people say (lol) that music is healing, and its true. Musicians too. On top of his almost daily visits and deliveries of food and hope, he roused me from a dark place on thanksgiving afternoon to administer some "medicine" by "forcing" me to accompany his family to a hospice to assist with a ritual they perform often. Delivering hope, love, laughter, joy and compassion in a way I've rarely seen - with music and song - plus the most lovingly prepared food for over 50 people and the staff of the hospice, it must have taken days to prepare. Medicine indeed! It was a truly touching experience that I hope to repeat as often as possible. They lifted the hearts of everyone there with their shining love. Especially mine. I knew he was a good guy when I first met him, but I had no idea .. I am blessed to have such a friend in my hometown.

I really wish everyone could meet him, his wife and his strapping stepson who has a heart of gold also. They all deserve each other, and they justifiably miss Billy when he's away on the road.

Someday, maybe, we all will meet up. :grouphug:


Thank you all so very much - hasta siempre.


-

[EFerrari]

1. Mika. It's so good to read you.

Billy told us a little bit about Thanksgiving. It sounded like a great way to spend that day, in the community with good friends.

:hug:
:grouphug:

[Judi Lynn]

2. So glad to see your post here, Mika. As you must know, your presence was keenly missed here.

Even when your life experience has taken you to a place you never anticipated, again, it appears you still have that basic drive to somehow get back to the world in a way which brings something important to people, as you did by spending your holiday with hospice residents and their friends.

Looks like it's in your blood, Mika! Yours and Billy Burnett's. There aren't that many people willing to design their actions in ways which actually help others, instead of just themselves. It's something BIG when people have ideals they have the vision to turn into living events themselves, becoming deliberate agents of their own beliefs. Not too many people around like that, and the few I've known who are like that, are all heads and shoulders above the rest, in value, no question about it.

[Judi Lynn]

3. Sorry I got to this thread too late to be able to get a recommendation registered. n/t

[Billy Burnett]

4. Hi friend. Good to see you at the helm of that funky mac again.

:toast:

I have to say that you laid it on pretty thick in that OP. :spank:
What's bringing over a few meals, and duping you into schlepping coolers and cookware? :shrug: I felt like Tom Sawyer. ;)

Seriously, you can stay over any time - if you bring some wine. :) My family really likes you too, but ... hell ... they like just about everyone. :+

---

Come back soon now, y'hear? :hug: :grouphug:

[AlphaCentauri]

5. Nice to read you again n/t

:)