Husband, Son, Brother, Kinsman, Friend...

Said goodbye to a friend today. 'Cousin' (though not related to me by birth) died very suddenly last Saturday of a massive heart attack. He was 32...yeah, i wrote that correctly, thirty-two. Though we had precious little time together, and that spent even more sparingly in the last few years since leaving OKC...he will nonetheless be missed. I still have a book he loaned me...a biography of Patrick Henry, my favorite American historical figure). His beautifully precious wife told me to keep it as a memento of his life saying, "That's so like him to loan one of his books to a friend." She is doing as well as could be expected. He married well, he married profound strength. They were married for three years...three years...a little less than a tenth of his life.

He was a good man.

He understood his place here. He understood liberty. He understood truth.

He loved his family. He loved his friends. He loved his heritage. He loved his music.

It was said of him that he was a Husband, Son, Brother, Kinsman, Friend. Of those he was the last two to me. He was a warm, gentle friend with a quick smile, a genuine, strong embrace, and a sincere mind for your well being. There are many more words i could write but suffice to say...I'll miss you Jonathan...farewell...and Godspeed.

Oh, all the comrades e'er I had,
They're sorry for my going away,
And all the sweethearts e'er I had,
They'd wish me one more day to stay,
But since it falls unto my lot,
That I should go and you should not,
I gently rise and softly call,
Good night and joy be with you all.

-The Parting Glass

And here's a tune especially for you that i know you'd like...