“We are all travelers in this world. From the sweet grass to the packing house, birth till death, we travel between the eternities.”
Prentiss Ritter played by Robrt Duvall in ‘Broken Trail’
We are indeed all travelers in this world and each day is both an instant and an eternity.
It is sometimes hard to imagine, but I too was young once and I had actually quite an interesting life before music made me visible to you all. In 1956 when I returned from Pakistan with my family I was in tenth grade at Woodrow Wilson High School in D.C. I met Jack’s older brother Chick Casady because of our love of cars, and through Chick, Jack. I wasn’t even playing music, but I would… and a year or so later Jack and I would have our first band in 1958. Even if I were gone from the States for much of the time, those of us who grew up on or near Northampton St. by Lafayette School shared, in a way, that magical bond of youthful discovery. There was Bill Haile, my best friend for years… now gone, Mike Oliveri who first taught me to play the guitar… now gone… Charlotte Harbour where Jack and I played our first gig, now gone… and now Lisa Roman… another girl from the neighborhood… gone on Valentine’s Day, 2016.
Lisa Roman... I knew her as Liz
Lisa and Jack and I would reconnect every now and then when we would play Vermont. It was nice… we were were old friends… and getting older. She was a remarkable girl and a remarkable woman. I will miss those rare meetings… and another part of my past is truly history.
Rest well sister… your trials are over.
For me, I am still in transit between those two eternities, and that’s a good thing.
A little creek heading for Stroud's Run
Today amazingly it was and is in the seventies. Vanessa, Izze, Maverick, Nessa’s sister Ginger and her son Montana and I all headed over to Canaan and Stroud’s Run for late winter’s walk in the sun.
Izze, Montana, Maverick, Ginger and Nessa
Well, we logged some decent walking miles on this beautiful Saturday and life does, indeed, go on. My past is always slipping away, but I am so lucky my present is still with me and so far, there is a future.
So on this beautiful day in Southeast Ohio I bid the fondest of farewells to my old friend from the hood… Lisa/Liz.
I am so grateful to have been granted a little more time and to still be between the two eternities.
Amein…
Evening Postsctript 19:40
Nessa, Izze, her pal Violet and I met Ginger and Montana at the Lake hope lodge… about an hour away.
The view from the porch afer dinner
Good food, family, friends and a beautiful setting…
Night comes to Vinton County
And so the day ends…
Onward
I love your phrasing of being in transit between two eternities. Hoping to see you in July–keep on being you since not only is that all we have but a fortunate few get to contribute a little more. As the old man told me getting old is not for sissies. Redman
The work you do is so under-appreciated, in general, yet so appreciated in particular when family members and friends are in the sad position to meet you, on-the-job.
I have a friend of many decades, working as a hospice nurse.
@mary
Jorma ~ I’m very sorry for this loss and recent losses. I feel and have long felt that is your destiny to meet your grandchildren. So be prepared. I am personally in the throes of dealing with serious family and friend death issues so I can really relate right now. I had to give the eulogy at my mother’s funeral in October and her internment in January. I listened to River of Time repeatedly beforehand to help get me through it. It did help a lot, it really did. Thanks.
yea me to,very inspiring.
Sorry for your loss and we’re lucky too to have you still play music for us. And thank you for sharing your thoughts and memories. I find them very inspiring.
I am sorry for your loss. But there is consolation that you kept in touch over all these years and through all the different and maybe difficult turns your lives may have had. The older I get the more I am grateful for friends and family who are still with me and for being healthy.
Best to you and your family, Jorma.
So often, your posts are like prayers -full with gratitude and free of dogma. I am a hospice nurse and I think often about our finiteness – together with the amazing gift of life. This idea of being “in transit between two eternities” is beautifully stated. Thank you. Be well.
Nyuk,Nuuk a wise guy
Peace
LoveAll Ways@Joey Hudoklin
Hi Jorma, My condolences to you. You mentioned when you wrote about Paul that its a special gift to have a friend that remembers you when you where young. Its even more special when you have a friend that remembers you when you where children.
Today is Curly of the Three Stooges Birthday!
Jorma, thanks for sharing so much with everyone. You continue to bring inspiration and joy. God has blessed you with remarkable talent.
Thanks for that link. Patti Smith has a way of remembering the past and connecting it to the present time.@Steve Goldston
Sorry for your loss Jorma
Ms Smith was beautifully eloquent as usual
Peace
Love all ways@Steve Goldston
I think this says it all:
“Carve Your Name On Hearts, Not Tombstones,
A Legacy Is Etched In The Minds Of Others And The Stories They Share About You”
-Shannon L. Adler-
It’s always some consolation to me that I’m not getting old alone, my friends are along for the trip. Sadly we lose some along the way but whatevers next, well, we’re all going on that journey together too. Looking forward to seeing you and Jack in Asheville in April.
Liz has a beautiful smile. It’s great that your lifetime friendship with her was maintained. It’s too easy to let things slip away.
As my life continues to expand and mature, it has become essential to re-connect with some whome I’d lost contact with, people who are positive influences. People who have a consciousness. Also, to maintain relationships with people I care for. These things are important. We are creatures of love. Travelers in eternity. I love that.
I have also been losing people more frequently recently. I’m grateful to have my health, and have gotten my Brain back.
Thank you for being such a blessing in my life Jorma.
Carry on. I will too.
thanks so much for all the beauty pics…wont be long and green buds will here.Sorry bout liz and thanks for sharing the timeline. 1958 ah yes twas a good year.
http://www.grammy.com/news/saluting-jefferson-airplanes-crown-of-creation
Hi Jorma,
This is an interview with Patti Smith regarding The Airplane’s influence on her.
Fair to say life is about the journey, and those we meet in our travels 🙂
Jorma I have appreciated your writings for a long time but have never left a comment. I just wanted to say that you so eloquently stated something I have felt far to many times here in the last five years. Thanks very much. Peace and health to you and your family.
well said jorma well said
Sorry for your loss. Beautiful words you shared. Thanks for the reminder that Today is all we have and enjoy every drop.
Peace from North Dakota…Baking Bread.