Craig, I just want you to know that I have been calling people that I have not spoken to in years. I have contacted Dan Hounslow, Andy Arterbery, Aaron Mauterer, Matt Kay, and more... I even had to hunt down their parents to get their numbers! It is a good thing those older generations like those landlines still. :P In times like this I like them too.
All of them knew about what was going on and they all extend best wishes to you and the rest of the family. Hopefully we can get some posts/emails from them in a bit to relive the good o'l days of baking in your mothers kitchen, and/or us running around being the kids we were.. :P I know a few of their families have also actively been reading the site and I want them all to know that they are welcome to post. The memories of the past are a great relief to all of the family in this time. As your sisters said it, baking was a badge, but what I really think is they are memories forever! If someone has some photos of all of us out there, please let me know... I will add them to the site! I wish I had kept some of those T-ball and coach-pitch team pictures..
Stephen
The first thing that comes to mind when I think about the old cub scout days at the Lawler homestead is paper mache. I drank a lot of Kool Aid and milk, and ate a lot of cookies and sandwiches at that house which Mary had made so warm and inviting, full of activity, Star Wars, and the quiet, gentle intellectual drive that lay behind her conversations with us kids. Looking back now, I can't believe what a paradise of innocence and youth the whole family created. I loved being there. I remember that huge back yard with big beautiful trees, popcorn, Fraggle Rock, the Muppet Show. When it came to Craig and I, the main thing was Star Wars. I remember us arguing over who was Luke and who was Han, anyway we had two Lukes for Halloween. Craig was always so intelligent, so critical yet able to take flight on the wings of imagination when time and circumstances allowed. When I found out Craig was into the blues I had that strange sensation of being surprised and at the same time feeling that it makes perfect sense, when that glossy sheen of material seperation that clouds true vision slips for a moment and you begin to see the interconnectedness of all things. I discovered the blues, playing in a rock group in San Antonio, through Kelly Joe Phelps and through him Blind Willie Johnson. It felt like home to me, like the real America, so I started playing lap style resonator and learning how hard and sometimes blissfully easy it was to make a simple I-IV-V progression sound real. It wasn't later till I found out about Watermelon Slim and even later when I found out Craig had served some sort of apprenticeship under the wise man's tutelage. That's what surprised me, thinking, "I haven't seen or spoke to this guy in 20 years and here we are all these lifetimes later still interested in the same thing", and interested in the way that people like Craig and I are, with our entire being invested in the thing, the whole weight of our bodies swinging in time to it. It really makes me wish we had shared this common interest and fought over who was Robert Johnson and who was Willie Brown. That's a bad joke. but that's the closest I can come to Luke and Han. I am so deeply impressed by all of you. So much strength and so much wisdom for one family, the quiet dignity of Jim, the raging intellectual fire of the twins, Diane's gentle serenity, Mary's wisdom and the austere strength of Craig. Thanks you guys for being a part of my life. I will check in with the cub scout crew again soon.
ReplyDeleteCraig, I love the song you wrote about the lawyer. It had the great dry wit that you are known for and your delivery was subtle and on key. I thought for sure you would be the next "harp sensation". But the lawyer in you prevaled. I love hearing you play with such superb tone and bending those notes in the blues. You have a great family. I remember meeting Emily when we were out jamming those many times. Your sisters are remarkable. I too, find you a remarkable person, kind, thoughtful, intelligent and strong. Just catching up with you again... kim
ReplyDeleteCraig, I can remember Cub Scouts, riding our bikes, building forts, playing Star Wars and spending the night at Steves. You were the one who always fell asleep fist when we did spend the night at Steves (ha, ha). We did many things together growing up. I am glad I have these memories. I am glad to have you as a friend. You have a wonderful close knit family. Keep strong and have faith, friend. Your in my thoughts and prayers. I will check back here soon----Aaron.
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