“Be so proud of yourself for how you handled this year. I don’t know about you but I fought so many silent battles. I had to humble myself, wipe my own tears, pat myself on the back. I’m sure you had to do the same. Be proud of you.” ~ Priscilla A. Ransom⠀
New Year’s Eve watching Ghost Whisperer as I simultaneously process photos from 2019. Boy, how New Year’s Eve has changed. I spent New Year’s Eve playing music for 20 years, usually in a bar. Some of the best of those were spent in Oklahoma with so many of my beloved BFFs. There’s always a little twinge of melancholy when I’m not there on New Year’s Eve. On the other hand, it’s been pretty fitting that today I’ve been working on Oklahoma pics from my trip back in October. Next best thing to being there I suppose. In my processing I came across videos I shot at Gary Thurman’s Celebration of Life. I’d completely forgotten about them. I don’t think I’d ever shot video with my camera, and I sure didn’t have the right lens with me, so they’re not very good. Nevertheless, they celebrate Gary perfectly because he loved, loved, loved music, and he especially loved music by the guys and gals that sang him home. For example, this is Thomas Trapp with BFF Pamela Jumper Thurman. You may not know his name, but if you’re a Bluegrass fan, especially a Byron Berline fan, or a Turnpike Troubadours fan, you’ve heard him. Gary and Pam helped him grow up and they followed his career, cheering him on every step of the way. They are his family in the deepest sense of the word. Like so many, 2019 has been a tough year for the Thurman, Plested, and Trapp families. Gary’s sudden passing left many of us with a hurt heart, but oh the joy and healing music brings. Gary always knew that. Pam and Thomas know that. I know that. I’m certain that for all the hurt we’ve collectively endured over the last year – whether a physical loss, an emotional loss, the loss of a job or pet or just another year of aging health – 2020 will bring more music, more healing, and more joy to us all. I, for one, am more than ready. Here’s to an excellent 2020!
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