Last night we held the benefit concert for Sam at the Monitor Barn in Richmond. It had been a tough day for us. There was so much activity in our house, but I just felt like being by myself.   Walking in to the Monitor Barn was really hard… but as I did I began to see (yet again) just how much the community was tehre helping us. Friends were standing out in the diving rain directing traffic, others were taking donations. others were cooking.. or handing out soda’s..others watching the doors,  We even had friends managing the mosh pit.  Max Hefernon, had printed shirts with Sam’s picture.. and the room was full of them. Imagine what it’s like to walk into a room and see your son’s picture on every dancing kid.. it was great.. and it was hard. The music was wonderful . Even so all I could do was lean in a corner and cry for the first half.. It was hardest to hear Sam’s band ‘Black Knight Vengance’ playing without him. If you know their music.. you’ll understand it’s not the kind to make you nostalgic.. but I was… (Ok.. that’s an understatement.. I was crying my eyes out)… they sounded great. I was really proud when my oldest son Max got up and did an acoustic number (“I’ll follow you into the dark” by death cab for cutie… sorry Sam 🙂 ). Max’s voice was claear and strong…and there for his brother.  Music is so important in our family. One big hope I have is that Sam’s friends keep coming  toour house and play now that he’s gone. I can’t lose Sam… and his music. Many folks came up to us as we listened…. I hope I wasn’t mean to anyone who came up to me… I needed to be there with my thoughts.
At the end of the show Max quieted the crowd for a minute of silence. I felt Sam all around me at theat point. it was very beautiful…..   As we left I found out that we’d had well over 400 folks there and between donations, food and shirts, we’d raised more than $5000 for Sam’s Fund…. That’s a really great start on the camp and snoowboarding scholarship’s we are setting up in his name. Thank you all so much !
     After the show…we went back to our house thinking we’d go to sleep.. but there were about 20 folks at the house. It was nice.. I don’t know what we’ll do when the company stops.  Today is the Celebration at Memorial Autditorium.. I hope that the weather doesn’t keep folks away. Diane and I need to figure out what we’re going to say when it’s our turn to talk.. What can you say ?    I guess we’ll find out. Love to all who are reading this and thanks for your comments.. this is part of getting back to O.K. for me…
-jc