09/27/2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIJdBe2sCrU
Well today is Vic's birthday in heaven. I remember on his birthday the year before he died we had this wonderful party. It was a surprise party and Vic, with that dry sense of humor that all of you in the know, know..... He comes out to the deck (this was before the people were coming and I still didn't know how this would go over as he felt depressed from cancer and wanted to hybernate... ) However I knew the joy of people and the music was the true healer.....so he came out to the deck and said " Kate what's going on, it looks like a wedding reception, what is the Queen of England stopping by! I said no just my family! As I would throw on a dress and pull out all the stops for my mom (which he always got a kick out of) he kinda bought it. Well Vic was totally surprised and said it was the best day of his life with all of his loved ones and family around him . He then said, we would really celebrate if he made it to the next one.... I remember Russell Malone was there too. Well God had other plans that I am still wrapping my head around. I just know the higher power really must have a plan and this is not the end.
I have learned so much during this time as grief has a way of teaching us. I just wish I could have learned these lessons without this......But my mom always said I had to learn the hard way! It was quite a period.. losing my mom, then my Vic and then my two dogs and then COVID where we were alone. So all at once..... my biggest fear came true.....yet I survived..... lesson 1..... interesting. All of a sudden the ability to be brave and face my fears were no longer a mountain to climb.
I remember my last gigs with Vic about a month before he died were the most authentic and best experiences of my life. I learned to trust myself fully and we learned to trust each other in a way I had not experienced before. The music that came through was based in pure love, no ego, no judgement, nothing but raw honesty. That was a feeling I will never forget as long as I live. I learned so much from Vic during that period and after. We learned that spending time together even if it was just sitting at a diner after Chemo or saying nothing... Those moments I will treasure and hold close.
Thanks to Dave Stryker, Vic's last recording was our Duo record Return to Shore. This record the universe put in our path. I remember when we were thinking of what songs to record, (this was before he was sick). I said Vic we need all new songs......however the ironic part is when Dave Stryker, and I were picking out from what Vic and I had recorded over the years..... the theme behind all of this was Vic leaving ..... I found that so profoundly powerful...... even the song Black Crow as I remember feeling like that Black Crow after all of this...... Here is an overview of the record with pics of vic.......
short samples of The Upcoming release Return to Shore Songs : God Only Knows Return to ShoreI've Grown Accustomed to his faceBlack Crow The Moons a Harsh Mis...
