OH, What a lucky man he was.................

60. I never really gave it much thought. Time marches on. I have seemingly lived a majority of my life looking no further than the next day or two. I will admit what many people have told me----I am one of the luckiest people I know. I have wandered around the world and lived many lives but realize that "luck" has been with me all the way (in it's many varied forms) I am also blessed with an amazing memory. Photographic? I don't know about that but for example, I DID, at one point, have over 100 song lyrics and music memorized in my head and could "pull them up" (when performing with my guitar) at will by simply starting the first chords or notes of the song. (it came in handy when I was a child and performing in the orchestra. In stead of "reading" the music charts (which I COULD do) I would memorize them and KNOW when to come in and on what note. just being lazy...... Those memories are with me still and some just as vivid as the day they occured. I can recall the "fuzzy"(cashmere?)sweater and dark short skirt my dear friend Joan had on the day I got up the nerve to give her a rose as she walked down the hall at our highschool--letting her know "I cared." (and the color of her eyes!!) I remember meeting my pal Stefen at the side door of the place he was living in and being dazzled by his style and "rock and roll" attitude. I can "call up" the firelight and long dark hair of a Tahitian girlfriend as she slowly danced "to the moonlight" at a party years ago in Moorea. I close my eyes and see my beautiful dog Lani RACING across the open field at sunrise on Maui to catch the frisbee I had thrown---and the simple joy in her face when she brought it back to me....."one more time, please?" And on and on and..... I can, and have, calmed myself, closed my eyes and thought back to any chosen time and just-----let the memories come washing in,taking me back to that moment, reliving all of the events. And some amazing times with you all----and others that have gone on before. I have met people I only dreamed of meeting and created jewelry for even more. The one that REALLY stopped me in my tracks? Cary Grant. Again----a lucky (you could say "magical") meeting. (while at the Magic Castle in Hollywood) And I could go on and on---but won't.....(all just people and none really more important than you, my friends.) Some years back, my best pal Leigh and I sat on the rooftop of our hotel in Monterosso del Mare in the Cinqueterra area of Italy watching the sunset after a long day of wandering and hiking. Over a seemingly endless "snack/feast" of local cheese, bread, sausage and, yes, just a WEE bit of wine, we spoke for hours of everything we had seen and done. All of the experiences and events that had gotten us to that point. Our artistic backgrounds and equally talented friends. (and yes---that memory of mine can put me there on the right side of the table--looking down on the parking lot/soccer game played by the local kids, in the cooling evening breeze, as the sun set beautifully over the Mediterranean.) We laughed and talked for hours and somewhere in there acknowledged that there were simply people that "got us" and those that didn't. "Our people" or "Not our people." We all have met those that we instantly "click" with and KNOW they understand and accept us in some connective way. And then there are those that will never quite connect---no matter what amount of effort and attempt. An oversimplification? Sure, maybe, but a true one. I am so very lucky to have met all of the amazing talent in each and every one of you. Some simply the talent to make me laugh and others to leave me standing in awe at your beauty, grace and kindness. I wish I could have been a better friend to each of you. I am so sorry if I have caused any of you any pain and am thankful that you saw threw my bluster and noise and loved me anyway. My departed pal Lee used to say to me, quite simply and directly, before we ended one of our numerous phone conversations, "I love you, buddy." He is gone these past 3 years or so, but I can sit down and close my eyes and remember all of the great times with him ----just as I can with all of you....and love you all for those times. Thank you all so much. Stick around---there is more fun to be had! TOM