Alembic Guitars Club

Connecting => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: jacko on March 12, 2013, 06:02:49 AM

Title: Positive thoughts needed
Post by: jacko on March 12, 2013, 06:02:49 AM

My eldest brother Chris passed away on Sunday 3rd March. He had survived Hodgkins Lymphoma when he was about 20 but has had several recurrences since.  
He lived in Aukland, New Zealand so I didn't see much of him but we always kept in touch.I last saw him last October when I returned from my USA trip as he was in the UK visiting my folks but he had suffered a relapse so was flying straight back to NZ for tests. Sadly they diagnosed full blown lung cancer and were only able to administer chemo and radio treatment to slow up his disease. I was planning to visit him at Easter for a couple of weeks but was told last sunday that he had gone very suddenly.
Chris was my first ever musical hero. He was a fantastic guitarist and played around the north east folk circuit alongside superstars like Lindisfarne although he never sought the limelight. Before he left home to study law, he took the trouble to teach me the basic guitar chords and I even learnt some ragtime finger picking from him. He never complained when I gave up the guitar to play bass and would always ask to see my Alembics whenever he visited.  
 He also helped me develop a very wide interest in music. From a very early age, each birthday or christmas would herald the arrival of some obscure LP that I often thought was rubbish (I was probably more interested in deep purple back then) but would listen to nonetheless. Without Chris I wouldn't be a Doobies fan or have an interest in Robert Palmer, James Taylor or Joan Armatrading. I'd probably never even have heard of Can let alone own some of their work. I think it's safe to say that without my brother's influence I'd probably never have taken up music.
 
His passing has left a huge gap in our lives that I doubt I'll ever fill.  
 
Graeme

Title: Positive thoughts needed
Post by: dadabass2001 on March 12, 2013, 06:55:16 AM

My condolences on your loss, Graeme.  Prayers of surcease headed your way.
Mike

Title: Positive thoughts needed
Post by: sonicus on March 12, 2013, 07:02:06 AM

Graeme,
              I send my sincere condolences and positive kind thoughts to you and your family in this time of loss .
 
Wolf

Title: Positive thoughts needed
Post by: artswork99 on March 12, 2013, 07:10:19 AM

Graeme,  
 
So sorry to hear of Chris's passing.  May the love that surrounds help to ease this pain.  I will hold you and your family close in this difficult time.  
 
Sincere condolences,
Art

Title: Positive thoughts needed
Post by: tncaveman on March 12, 2013, 07:30:38 AM

My brother turned me onto Yes, Jethro Tull, etc.   Since my parents passing, he's my goto.  Prayers to you.  
 
Stephen

Title: Positive thoughts needed
Post by: lbpesq on March 12, 2013, 07:52:18 AM

One of my my older twin brothers turned me on to the Grateful Dead, (he also turned me on- two driving forces in my life).  The other passed away from brain cancer 5 1/2 years ago.  My heart goes out to you Graeme.  The older we get, the more mortality stares us right in the face.  We should always strive to make the best of the time we have.
 
May the Four Winds Blow You Safely Home.
 
Bill, tgo

Title: Positive thoughts needed
Post by: 811952 on March 12, 2013, 08:19:32 AM

My condolences, Graeme.  Sounds like a cool guy, and those are the ones who always seem to leave too soon.
 
Peace,
John

Title: Positive thoughts needed
Post by: JuancarlinBass on March 12, 2013, 08:24:29 AM

My condolences from this side of the Caribbean sea...

Title: Positive thoughts needed
Post by: oddmetersam on March 12, 2013, 08:58:51 AM

So sorry to hear this, Graeme. We are all family. I'll be thinking of you. Take care.
-Sam

Title: Positive thoughts needed
Post by: senmen on March 12, 2013, 09:09:48 AM

Graeme,
please accept my condolences.
I am very sorry to hear that.....
Oliver (Spyderman)

Title: Positive thoughts needed
Post by: karl on March 12, 2013, 09:43:52 AM

Sorry to hear this, Graeme. Hope you're holding up OK.
 
Karl

Title: Positive thoughts needed
Post by: that_sustain on March 12, 2013, 09:51:26 AM

Very sorry for your loss.  Take care.

Title: Positive thoughts needed
Post by: pauldo on March 12, 2013, 04:54:50 PM

Graeme,
I'll double up on the positive healing thoughts for you.
We all need them sometime and we can all give them back.
 
I sincerely hope for the hollow emptiness of grief to soon be flooded with nothing but fond memories of Chris.
 
Peace

Title: Positive thoughts needed
Post by: slawie on March 12, 2013, 06:08:32 PM

Cry not for me as I leave this world you know.  
I go to a far far better place.  
There is no hunger, no fear, no pain and no tears.  
Wrap your arms around those I leave behind.  
Be warmed by my memory and comforted by my eternal love.  
slawie

Title: Positive thoughts needed
Post by: jet_powers on March 12, 2013, 06:22:39 PM

Graeme,  
 
Condolences to you and your loved ones.
 
John

Title: Positive thoughts needed
Post by: lidon2001 on March 12, 2013, 06:47:57 PM

Condolences with kind regards,
 
T

Title: Positive thoughts needed
Post by: flpete1uw on March 12, 2013, 06:49:30 PM

Sorry for your loss Graeme,
  I to share a heavy heart with the loss of my Father 2/20/13. When he would catch me in tears I would say to him I'm not tearing so much for you for soon you'll be fine. I cry for myself for the temporary loss of not having him around here anymore. We spoke every day. He suffered greatly and now is at Peace.
May we both find Peace in our hearts,
Pete

Title: Positive thoughts needed
Post by: smokinbear on March 12, 2013, 08:24:54 PM

So sorry for your loss, my wife and I send our love and condolences... ;.~(

Title: Positive thoughts needed
Post by: georgie_boy on March 13, 2013, 04:52:41 AM

My thoughts are with you Graeme.

Title: Positive thoughts needed
Post by: David Houck on March 13, 2013, 06:43:34 AM

Graeme; you've written a beautiful remembrance of Chris, the influence he had on you musically.  Thank you for sharing that with us.  Holding you in my heart.

Title: Positive thoughts needed
Post by: rustyg61 on March 13, 2013, 10:43:53 AM

I'm so sorry for your loss Graeme. I lost my brother in 2002, so I know what you are feeling. You & your family are in my prayers.

Title: Positive thoughts needed
Post by: jacko on March 13, 2013, 02:31:07 PM

I just want to thank everyone for your kind thoughts. This truly is the perfect family.
 
Graeme
 
(Message edited by jacko on March 13, 2013)

Title: Positive thoughts needed
Post by: terryc on March 14, 2013, 01:49:32 AM

Deepest sympathies to you and your family.

Title: Positive thoughts needed
Post by: mario_farufyno on March 14, 2013, 05:23:54 PM

Jacko I lost my older brother when we were teens, that marked me deep and I'm really sorry to hear that you're having to face that loss. My thoughts go with you and your family, know you all will overcome such grief in time

Title: Positive thoughts needed
Post by: FC Bass on March 14, 2013, 06:34:22 PM

Sorry to hear about your loss.... :-(
I lost my little brother when he was 18, still lost for words...
 
Love to you and your family, take care!

Title: Positive thoughts needed
Post by: edwin on March 15, 2013, 12:24:04 AM

Graeme, I'm so sorry to hear of this. Thanks for sharing a brief history of his life, I'm sure that beneath each sentence are amazing adventures and wonderful times. While you are going through this time of loss, you have brought me a moment of inspiration. I've tried to share what I can with as many as I can, but it shows me that there's always more to do. You know we're here for you.