Today would have been Dustin Birkholzs 41st birthday. I know I say it every year, but man, where does the time go? We were all just kids when he died on his 24th birthday. So long ago but it seems like yesterday. This year, there have been constant reminders of Dustin, like there always are. Jake came to us just after Christmas. He joined his 3 sisters and his older brother, who was about the same age as Dustin was when I came home from the hospital and he was there on my front step with Ruth Birkholz. Jake is now running around after Ed. They are constant companions and Ed is very patient with Jake, much like I remember Dustin with me. I was always playing catch up with my older friend. Its a gift to have my own boys remind me of moments with Dustin. I can already see that they are going to do stupid things like we did. Lets hope they stay on the tame side as we mostly did. :-) Music was always a constant with Dustin, so I find a lot of great memories are sparked by just hearing a song. Reminders of Dustin this year came in the form of seeing Martin Zellar and the Gear Daddies play a friends 40th birthday this summer and getting to meet our shared hero, Gene Simmons, shortly thereafter. Man, I wish Dustin could have been there. I thought about him constantly during both experiences. I thought about the recordings of Dustin and I covering the Gear Daddies and the conversation I had with Martin about Dustin after he died. Hes not only a great songwriter, hes a great, compassionate listener as well. Not long after Dustin died, some other heroes of ours, the Jayhawks, released a song that has brought me a lot of clarity and peace over the years. Will I See You in Heaven summed up exactly how I was feeling (still feel) about losing my lifelong pal, Dustin. Its an amazing lyric and a beautiful song. The resounding answer to the question is, yes. I will see him again someday and yes, as the lyric says, Ive got 1,000 questions to ask of you. Check out the song and think of Dustin on his birthday today: youtu.be/-bljeHuUXBM As I say every year, contact a friend or reach out to a family member you havent talked to in awhile. Better yet, give a call or drop a line to Dustins family. Im sure theyd love to hear from you. To Dustin! One of the good guys. Happy Birthday
Posted on: Sun, 09 Nov 2014 15:33:31 +0000
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